2019: A year of results

2019 saw new collective agreements for 14 groups, new scientific integrity policies, Phoenix compensation and progress on the new pay system. Together, we made this all happen.

Our collective bargaining strategy was successful – bringing home historic leave for survivors and victims of domestic violence, increases in family leave, first language on workplace harassment, and cost of living increases for all groups. Members in the Computer Systems (CS) group continue to work hard for a new collective agreement. We stand together with them and all groups working toward a new collective agreement!

We’ve had advances on Phoenix. We made the government understand that Phoenix must be replaced and that we must be consulted. Our calls for the government to commit funding to the Next Generation Human Resources and Pay System were successful. We won compensation for members paid through the failed Phoenix system. And we agreed to a settlement framework that will ensure individual members are compensated for financial losses and serious damages. You will get the money you are owed.

We built on our previous round of bargaining where we secured new language on contracting out. We’ve monitored government contracting practices, filed hundreds of policy grievances when we’ve seen public service work being contracted externally. We have seen progress in shifting the mentality of politicians and executives.

We ushered in the implementation of scientific integrity policies in all departments that have more than 10 scientists. We are protecting public scientists and science.

We made clear that Canadians and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) professionals want to see tax loopholes closed. Seventy-seven percent of Canadians and 87% of CRA professionals agree that e-commerce companies like Netflix, Google, Amazon and Uber should be subject to taxes for business carried out in Canada.

During the federal election, we let Canadians know that federal scientists think climate change is a crisis in need of immediate action. And that Canada is not currently doing enough.

We were present on Parliament Hill - lobbying, testifying at committees and providing our expert advice in written briefs and public consultations. We held discussions with Members of Parliament and Senators on our annual Lobby Day.

We worked hard to make our collective voice heard loud and clear by Canadians and our elected officials.

It has been a big year. So many important wins. Through our membership survey, we know that eighty-one percent of our members are pleased with the work of our union. And we are proud of all that we have accomplished together.

We are building progress in our union – we are leading progress in Canada.

Learn more about our work in 2019:


25 September 2020
On September 23, 2020 Governor General Julie Payette delivered a particularly important Speech from the Throne that outlined the government’s priorities and plans for the critical months ahead. In the Speech, the government made a number of statements on issues of great importance to our members and to all Canadians.

9 June 2020
When COVID-19 struck, you were ready and you delivered. You are what keeps this country together, and we couldn’t be more proud.

25 March 2020
As we continue our best to represent and advocate for our members despite the current situation with COVID-19, we wanted to share with you an important meeting we held by teleconference with Minister Joyce Murray.

14 February 2020
The inexcusable state of federal buildings across the country is an extremely concerning situation that can only be corrected by a long-term, and expensive, commitment on the part of the government. We will continue to keep a very close watch on the situation.

4 February 2020
On January 17, 2020 I met for the first time with the new President of the Treasury Board, Jean-Yves Duclos.

3 January 2020
We are heading into the new year, energized and determined. In the year ahead, we will work hard to get back every cent owed from Phoenix, ratify the new Employee Wellness Support Plan, fight outsourcing and protect our pensions.