Information for members regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus)

The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Our staff is assessing the situation on a daily basis and following recommendations laid out by all levels of government.

PIPSC is consulting with all employers on a regular basis. We are working closely with consultation teams to ensure that members’ concerns are being addressed.

Please follow advice from your local health authority to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Visit the Government of Canada’s website for more information.

It is important that we share responsibility for workplace wellness. This may include working from home or taking sick time. Please follow the advice and instructions from your employer. The wellness of our membership is paramount. If you are experiencing workplace issues related to COVID-19 and are unsure of what to do, we encourage you to fill out our Coronavirus (COVID-19) help form.

Visit the Canadian Labour Congress' COVID-19 Resource Centre to take action and support workers.

Submit a request for help

Frequently asked questions

To protect our members, all union-related activities are postponed until further notice.

All updates related to COVID-19 are found below.

18 December 2020

Working to stop wage freezes in New Brunswick

The New Brunswick Premier wants a one-year wage freeze and three years with only a 1% annual increase for public servants. We are working with all other bargaining agents to push back against this wage freeze.

17 December 2020

We demand COVID-19 leave with pay for Ontario hospital workers

Ontario hospital workers are being denied leave with pay when required to self-isolate due to possible COVID-19 exposure. This is unacceptable. We are demanding better.

15 December 2020

Policy grievance filed regarding discriminatory guidelines for Code 699 use

Following the results of our most recent survey of PIPSC members in the federal public service, PIPSC has filed a series of policy grievances with the employer.

3 December 2020

Government announces simplified tax process for home office expenses

In its November 30, 2020 Fall Economic Statement, the government announced a simplified tax process for Canadians claiming home office expenses.

6 November 2020

Keeping up the pressure on Code 699

The new guidelines on the use of leave code 699 fail to take into account the very difficult circumstances that so many of our members still find themselves in. We've written a strongly-worded letter to the Treasury Board President on this issue.

26 October 2020

Treasury Board announces discriminatory guidance on Leave Code 699

To date, the use of Code 699 has been minimal. Those who need it – need it. It is a great disappointment that the Treasury Board has decided to change its guidance on the use of Code 699.

27 August 2020

COVID-19 changes to public service disability insurance

The Public Service Disability Insurance Plan will temporarily accept electronic forms and signatures for claims.

25 August 2020

Stop open office conversion now

On August 19, 2020, we sent a letter to Minister Anand demanding a stop to the office conversion process until COVID-related health issues have been eradicated from federal workplaces.

24 August 2020

Supporting parents as schools reopen

The best course of action to take when determining how to manage the reopening of schools is to speak directly with your manager about your personal situation. We are working at all levels, with all unions representing workers in the federal public service, to ensure you have access to the leave you need.

14 August 2020

In-person union meetings suspended until the end of 2020

On August 12, the PIPSC Board of Directors met in a special session to discuss the resumption of in-person meetings of PIPSC members. After extensive discussion, the Board determined that all in-person member meetings will be suspended until the end of 2020.

24 July 2020

Code 699 and the absence of childcare in the COVID era

“Public servants have gone above and beyond in the face of this crisis,” said Debi Daviau, PIPSC President. “Working parents have been faced with full time childcare duties and balancing their current workloads. It is clear that safe and accessible childcare is key to a functioning economy.”

23 July 2020

Town hall recordings for provincial and separate employers

Listen to the recordings of our recent town hall for PIPSC members at provincial or separate employers hosted by President Debi Daviau.

25 June 2020

Recordings of town hall for federal public servants

Listen to the recordings of our recent town hall for federal public servants hosted by President Debi Daviau.

24 June 2020

Telephone town hall for provincial and separate employers

Join President Debi Daviau on Thursday, July 9 to discuss how COVID-19 has affected the work of members at provincial or separate employers, what PIPSC has been advocating for, and where we go from here.

11 June 2020

Telephone town hall for federal public servants

Join President Debi Daviau on Thursday, June 18 to discuss how COVID-19 has affected the work of federal public servants, what PIPSC has been advocating for, and where we go from here.

10 June 2020

Staying safe and returning to the workplace

PIPSC has been in discussions with the Treasury Board Secretariat on guidelines to returning to the workplace for several weeks. There is still no date for that return. The health and safety of our members must be ensured.

2 June 2020

Pandemic pay letdown

We are disappointed by the Ford government’s decision to not expand pandemic pay. We are extremely proud of our radiation therapists working on the front lines during this pandemic. PIPSC will be pursuing this further in the collective bargaining process.

20 May 2020

Demanding Pandemic Pay for Ontario’s essential hospital workers

We have reached out to the President and CEOs of the hospitals our members work at, imploring them to write to the Ford government on their workers’ behalf.

20 May 2020

PIPSC in-person activities and the 2020 Annual General Meeting

The PIPSC Board of Directors met on May 14 to discuss and plan for important PIPSC events and activities in light of restrictions on large in-person gatherings due to COVID-19.

15 May 2020

Advocating for parents as Quebec schools re-open

This week, some students across parts of Quebec are allowed to return to school under new guidelines and restrictions. Our members are understandably worried about sending their children back to these facilities. We’re speaking up to ensure your concerns are heard.

13 May 2020

Canada’s economic recovery: don’t play Monopoly, play Pandemic instead

We are living through an unprecedented moment. The impact of public policy decisions made in the next few years will be felt for generations. Let’s not screw it up.

5 May 2020

Temporary suspension of grievances due to COVID-19

We have come to an agreement with the Treasury Board that all grievances will be suspended from March 20 to July 5, 2020, inclusively.

1 May 2020

Pandemic pay for essential hospital workers

The Ontario government has announced pandemic pay for front-line healthcare workers. We have written to Premier Ford asking for confirmation that our members who are working on the front lines in Ontario’s cancer centres will receive pandemic pay.

28 April 2020

The Public Service Health Care Plan temporarily includes mental health practitioners

The Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) will temporarily accept expenses for social workers and psychotherapists under the mental health provision.

9 April 2020

Recognize a PIPSC member going above and beyond for Canadians during COVID-19

Every day, PIPSC members work to protect Canadians, keep them safe, and perform critical services. Recognize a fellow PIPSC member or share your own story about how we are working hard for Canadians during the COVID-19 crisis.

7 April 2020

PIPSC meetings status

Find out if a PIPSC meeting has been postponed, cancelled or switched to a virtual format.

3 April 2020

Ontario hospitals FAQ on COVID-19

Working on the front lines in Ontario’s hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic response? Understand your rights and responsibilities in situations that may arise.

27 March 2020

PIPSC in-person union activities are postponed until June 30, 2020

The Board of Directors met on March 27, 2020, to review and further assess how we can do our part to adhere to government and health agencies’ COVID-19 recommendations and restrictions. PIPSC in-person union activities are postponed until June 30, 2020. Some activities will be moved online.

26 March 2020

Our response to the Ontario Ministry of Health’s extraordinary steps to contain COVID-19

Debi Daviau has contacted the Presidents of Ontario hospitals on behalf of the members of the Ontario medical groups to address concerns about new measures and to raise concerns for our members’ health and safety.

23 March 2020

Definition of “critical” federal government services

The Treasury Board has responded to our request for a clear definition of “critical” federal government service.

18 March 2020

FAQs regarding COVID-19 for PIPSC members

Answers to questions you may have regarding union activities, employer consultations and advice regarding COVID-19 and your workplace.

18 March 2020

COVID-19 and travel insurance

The Government of Canada has announced an official global travel advisory: avoid non-essential travel outside Canada until further notice. This impacts your travel insurance coverage.

18 March 2020

Calling for a clear definition of “critical” federal government services

As the government has moved to address the COVID-19 pandemic, the Treasury Board has repeated that some “critical” services must be delivered from the workplace. PIPSC and other federal unions have asked the Treasury Board to clarify the definitions of the terms “critical services” and “critical staff.”

16 March 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) help form for PIPSC union members

If you are a PIPSC member experiencing workplace issues related to COVID-19 and are unsure of what to do, we encourage you to: Contact a steward in your workplace or your department, agency or separate employer’s consultation team. If you still need help, fill out the form below.

14 March 2020

Treasury Board President provides more detail about telework and leave provisions

The Treasury Board has clarified teleworking arrangements and leave provisions. Members will receive more information directly from their managers in the coming days.

13 March 2020

Federal public servants asked to work from home. PIPSC calls on separate employers to take similar action.

Treasury Board is allowing all employees to telework if possible. For members outside the federal public service, President Daviau has sent a letter to all employers asking for similar arrangements to be made.