To all proud IT Group members,
Your bargaining team met with the employer for the eighth session of negotiations from February 1 – 2, 2023.
Prior to meeting in a formal session with the Treasury Board, IT bargaining team representatives met with the employer’s negotiator to discuss our goals for the session. We suggested that the parties focus on pay negotiations for this session as we haven’t had much movement in this area despite it being our highest priority. We were pleased that the Treasury Board agreed.
The employer prepared and tabled a counter proposal on pay that showed some movement from their initial proposal while still not recognizing the impact of inflation on our members. The IT team tabled a counter proposal that still includes our drive towards pay parity, market adjustments that reflect recruitment and retention issues, as well as accounting for the current rate of inflation. It is clear that the employer and the union are far apart, however, the progress made indicates that the employer is willing to move towards a fair deal.
For reference, IT Bytes #7 and IT Bytes #8 show the opening pay proposals for the employer and IT Group.
As a reminder, at this time, the Return to the Office mandate is not an issue that we can discuss at the IT Group bargaining table. PIPSC, however, is engaged in consultation and working with other union partners to put pressure on the employer to reverse their position on RTO. For the latest from PIPSC on this subject, please see Return to Workplaces.
Our next bargaining session will be held March 22 – 23, 2023, followed by another scheduled for May 16 – 18, 2023. Further sessions will be scheduled depending upon further progress in our March and May negotiations.
Thank you for your continued support.
In solidarity,
Robert Scott
IT Group Bargaining Officer