Your bargaining team met with the employer for the third session of negotiations from May 17 to 19, 2022. We signed off on an agreement to change all the references of CS and Computer Systems to IT and Information Technology respectively. There are a few articles that are agreed to in principle that we will sign off at our next session after we do our due diligence reviews.
We continued discussions on the employer’s proposal on Hours of Work - Enhanced Flexibilities, which is being described as a way for employees to request alternative work arrangements outside of the usual 9 to 5, Monday to Friday schedule. This proposal introduces a significant amount of new language to the collective agreement and our team feels that this can be accomplished with much more concise language.
The employer has countered our proposal on Designated Paid Holidays with a change that recognizes the Truth and Reconciliation Day as a paid day off. They excluded, however, our suggested addition of Family Day from their counter. We are not prepared to drop this request at this time so we remain apart on this issue.
We also met with the President of PIPSC, Jennifer Carr, and the new PIPSC Director of Negotiations, David Yazbeck. We discussed the ways in which our group and PIPSC can work together towards achieving a fair deal for our membership.
During this session, we were made aware that some PSAC groups have reached an impasse in their negotiations with the Treasury Board. A low wage offer was the tipping point for the Alliance to file for conciliation. The IT Group stands in solidarity with their fellow public servants at PSAC in their efforts to achieve a fair wage increase for their members.
Our next negotiation session is scheduled for June 27 to 29, 2022. After this session, we will be meeting with PIPSC research to start planning our pay proposal which we expect to be ready to table in September. This proposal along with the employer’s will be posted online after they are exchanged at the bargaining table.
Thank you to all those who showed their solidarity and their colours on the IT Day of Action and for your continued support.
In solidarity,
Robert Scott
IT Group Bargaining Officer