Following the regular preparatory meeting on November 20, where analysis and strategy around remaining issues, including pay, were discussed, the Bargaining team met with the Employer, in Ottawa, for three days of negotiations November 21-23, 2023.
Although we worked late into the night and had many discussions, a tentative agreement with the Employer was not reached. The parties remain too far apart on some very important issues.
PAY DISPARITY
Our members gave us a mandate with regard to pay which included addressing the disparity between classifications performing same or similar duties in the Core Public Service and the Canada Revenue Agency, specifically the COs and the ECs and the PGs and SPs performing procurement duties at CRA. Without correcting this disparity, COs and PGs continue to be prevented from deploying into equivalent positions as they have been able to do in the past. The last offer from the employer did not correct the disparity. You, the members, have stated that this issue cannot continue to be perpetuated since it has resulted in career opportunities being denied.
ARBITRATION
The next step in the process of renewing the CP Group’s collective agreement is arbitration. We remain hopeful that the long-standing pay issue which affects many of our members will be corrected through the arbitration process. Virtual and in person updates explaining the issues and the arbitration process will be offered in December and January.
The Bargaining Team understands that this result will be disappointing for some of our members who were hoping that an agreement would be reached. The decision to declare impasse was not made easily but it was taken while considering the best interest of all our members, for the longer term.
If you have any questions, please contact the Bargaining Team at cpgroupbargaining@gmail.com.
Please check out the CP Bargaining Facebook Group page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/500218045310861) and/or CP Bargaining Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/cpbarg/).
In solidarity,
Your CP Bargaining Team