On July 27, 2021, following the successful completion of the Exploratory Phase with the Department of Canadian Heritage, the government announced the expansion of NextGen pay and HR system testing to two federal organizations with complex scheduling and pay needs, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. These are some of the most challenging pay groups in the core public administration.

NextGen testing with Canadian Heritage will also continue as the organization provides a good representation of the government’s Human Resources (HR) challenges.

In addition, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED-Q) will undertake user testing from the perspective of French language employees, managers and HR professionals. Testing with CED-Q will also evaluate whether small and regional government organizations with headquarters outside of the NCR will be served equally well by the proposed new software.

All testing takes place in parallel with existing HR and Pay systems in a controlled environment that is completely separate from the current pay system. Our members will continue to be paid through the current pay system while testing takes place.

A number of workshops will be held with testers starting in the near future and our members will be invited to participate.

Senior project officials have assured us that any new pay system won’t launch unless it has been proven to work in thorough testing.  While we have some concerns over some of its Cloud-based elements, we understand that it is being built with all possible security measures.

We will continue to update members on NextGen developments in the months to come.

The Government of Canada recently passed legislation to make September 30th a federal statutory holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Our current collective agreements with the Treasury Board and federal agencies include provisions to allow for an additional designated holiday if one is proclaimed by an act of Parliament. As a result, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will become a designated paid holiday and will allow our members in the federal public service and agencies to observe and participate in this important day starting September 2021.

We will be sharing online and in-person actions you can take to support reconciliation on September 30, 2021. Follow PIPSC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates and opportunities for you and your family to further your allyship with Indigenous peoples.

This day provides an opportunity for PIPSC members, and all Canadians, to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools.

As news continues to unfold across Canada concerning the discoveries of unmarked graves of children at the sites of  former residential schools, we are reminded of the painful legacy of unmitigated and profound injustice inflicted upon Indigenous families in this country, which remains unresolved.

This is why we support the calls from Indigenous leaders and the TRC report for the federal government to create an online registry of residential school burials, and to work with impacted groups to develop a plan for the ongoing identification, documentation, maintenance and commemoration of burial sites.

A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former students and anyone affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.

If you have any questions about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as it relates to your terms and conditions of employment, ask us online.

Additional resources on Indigenous history and opportunities to support reconciliation

It is with a profound sense of sadness that the Institute informs you of the passing on July 7, 2021, of our friend and colleague, Charlotte Rogers Mehkeri.

Charlotte was part of the first executive of the Ottawa Centreville Branch. She was active in the AFS Headquarters Subgroup and was a long-serving steward. 

The Institute extends its condolences to Charlotte’s family and to the many friends who were privileged to know her.

Condolences can be expressed online.

It is with a profound sense of sorrow and regret that the Institute informs you of the untimely passing of our friend and colleague, Mr. Glenn Maxwell.  Glenn passed away on July 10, 2021. His commitment to Institute members was deep and unwavering. He will be missed. We will remember him with respect and gratitude.

Glenn was a CS Group member at DND’s 8 Wing at Canadian Forces Base Trenton, the hub of the Royal Canadian Air Force air mobility operations in Canada (responsible for search and rescue operations in Canada, delivering supplies to the high Arctic, and airlifting troops, equipment and humanitarian loads worldwide). 

Glenn served Institute members with distinction in a number of capacities over two decades, notably as a steward, chair of local, regional and national consultation teams, as President of the CS Quinte Sub-Group, Vice-President of the Quinte Branch, Advisory Council Director, and member of the Board of Directors (2015-2018).

The Institute presented Glenn with the Steward of the Year Award and several Citation Certificates in recognition of his outstanding commitment to members and the Institute.

His spirit, intelligence, and commitment will be greatly missed by colleagues and PIPSC members who had the good fortune to work with him.

The Institute extends its condolences to Glenn’s family and to the many friends who were privileged to know him.

Condolences and memories can be expressed online.

You are invited to an Open House (outdoors) to share your memories of Glenn.  

August 14, 2021 – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

654 County Road 35, Campbellford, ON

R.S.V.P.: Jeanne Ann Maxwell jeannemaxwell@yahoo.ca

Please bring lawn chairs and umbrellas (in case of rain).

For more information: https://www.facebook.com/glenn.maxwell.18

Samah Henein came to Canada 30 years ago from Egypt with a BA in Commerce to have a better life. She wanted the job security that the public service offered, but also wanted to work somewhere she could learn, grow and have balance in her life. Samah applied as an auditor with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in 2005.

“The union makes the workplace a better place. There is more satisfaction with the employee, work conflicts get resolved faster, the union provides tools and resources to workers so they know their rights. The union fights for employees to get a good collective agreement and empowers them to do better,” Samah says.

Growing up, Samah witnessed her mother face dozens of challenges in her factory workplace. Her mom had to fight for equitable promotions and better working conditions. Watching her mother fight for equality and fairness throughout her life inspired Samah to speak up for herself and her coworkers at the CRA. This was one of the main reasons she decided to become a PIPSC steward.

“It’s important to empower people who are not able to voice their concerns and issues and to give them the resources they need to succeed,” she says.

Since starting her union work with PIPSC, Samah has made lasting changes in her workplace. She helped a member suffering violence at home to seek support and look after their well-being by taking time off from work. She won a grievance that earned a member a promotion, and helped another colleague change a leave type from unpaid to paid because of health reasons.

Most of all, Samah says she is proud that her coworkers can have a healthy work-life balance knowing that they are never alone when their job becomes challenging.

“We need to listen to members and ensure they are heard, for example if they have requests for accommodations,” she says.

At the CRA, Samah works in the Scientific Research Experimental Development division. In her role as a Financial Reviewer, she works with Canadian businesses who perform their research and development in Canada.

This work helps stimulate the economy and increase financial support for people in Canada. Her work in the public service doesn’t end with her contributions to her local union, she helps empower Canadian workers and businesses every day.

“I work with brilliant scientists and strong teams,” she says. “We are there to support businesses and they know we are accurate, timely and fair supporting their rights as well.” Samah is proud of the work she does to support Canadian businesses and her union work supporting her colleagues’ rights. She’s has been involved in the union for five years and is now the vice-chair of the Prairies/Northwest Territories Region and an important member of the PIPSC Human Rights and Diversity Committee. She makes sure members’ voices are heard.

“We are here to protect people’s rights. This year, the union negotiated our contract in an efficient way and fought against outsourcing while also fighting to support people going through grievances,” she said. “PIPSC makes sure that our workplace is safe and healthy.”

A union is its members, and it’s people like Samah that make a union strong. Despite our important accomplishments this year, Samah said she believes there is more work to be done together as a union to make changes across the country and within our union.

“A better Canada is where everyone matters equally,” she says. “PIPSC can be the vehicle for fairness and equality that we need to see everywhere.”