The IT bargaining team met with the employer for the fourth session of negotiations from June 27 to 29, 2022.
We continued discussions on these issues and more:
- Workforce Adjustment
- Designated Paid Holidays
- Bereavement Leave
- Leave for Family Related Responsibilities
- Overtime
While we didn’t sign off on new language for any articles, we did agree to delete Appendix F – MOU on Occupational Group Structure Review and Classification Reform. This is no longer needed as the update to the classification standard is completed.
The Treasury Board presented their proposal on Workforce Adjustment, which is a fairly comprehensive amendment. We will be reviewing the proposed changes between negotiation sessions to determine if the proposed changes are improvements or concessions for our members.
The employer also presented an overview of a new initiative from the Office of the CIO. The Development of Policy Guidance on Digital Talent Sourcing and Contracting Out initiative is a central direction to departments on:
- Recruitment
- Retention
- Upskilling
- Contracting of IT talent
We’ll be providing our feedback on this initiative and reinforcing our position on the appropriate use of contractors that does not threaten IT jobs that are identified in our bargaining certificate.
It is not yet decided if there will be a PIPSC central table for bargaining. Several of the issues that we are negotiating at the IT table may end up moving to a central table. In anticipation of this, the IT Group bargaining team has selected Matt Vanner as their representative for the PIPSC central bargaining table.
The team met with PIPSC research staff to review pay comparators to other IT workers in the public and private sectors. This will help us develop our pay proposal, which we aim to present to the Treasury Board in the fall. The pay proposals will be shared once they are exchanged at the bargaining table.
Our next negotiation session is scheduled for September 20 to 22, 2022.