February 6 marks the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Professional Institute in 1920.

As we reflect on our history, we can be proud of our achievements: our pay equity victories, the socially progressive family leave package which improved maternity, paternity and adoption leaves; pay plans for incumbent-based work of scientists; career development packages for maintenance and enhancement of professional qualifications; and the dental, health and workforce reduction plans over the past decades.

We are the people who do the things that matter to all Canadians – we look after our water quality and our national food supply; inspect our children’s toys; supervise our financial institutions and pension plans; provide severe weather warnings; and ensure that the government has the money it needs to keep the programs we have come to consider part of our national identity from disappearing. These are only some of the tasks Institute members perform every day to safeguard the well-being and security of our fellow citizens.

As we look back on these first 99 years, we can be justifiably proud of the commitment and determination that PIPSC members have always shown in overcoming the numerous obstacles that have confronted them over the years. As it enters its 100th year, the Institute will continue to stand up for its members, to do everything in its power to protect their hard-earned rights, and to ensure that their valuable contributions are recognized by their respective employers and appreciated by Canadians from coast-to-coast.

We’ve come a long way since 1920, in large part because we have stood together through challenging times. Let us take pride in our accomplishments and be encouraged to face the challenges of the future with renewed energy and commitment.

The PIPSC Central Table Bargaining Team met with Treasury Board representatives from January 29 - 31, 2019 and engaged in a constructive discussion.

Treasury Board tabled updates to their proposals on the Family Leave and Benefits, Union Dues - Other Deductions and Workforce Adjustment. The Treasury Board made two presentations in response to the proposals which were tabled by PIPSC on Pay Administration and Harassment.

Both parties have begun discussions on the general economic increase.

The next bargaining dates are scheduled for March 26 - 28, 2019.

PIPSC Central Bargaining Team members: Mehran Alaee, RE; Adam Fenwick, SH; Stéphanie Fréchette, CFIA-S&A; Dale Hudson, NR; Kim McGuire, AV; Louis Poirier, NRC-RO/RCO; Elizabeth Ptasznik, SP; Robert Scott (Bargaining Coordinator), CS; Robert Trudeau, AFS; Suzelle Brosseau and Pierre Ouellet, PIPSC negotiators.

February 1,  2019

Ottawa, February 5, 2019 – Members of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) will be on Parliament Hill today to meet with Canada’s Parliamentarians on issues of critical importance to the delivery of public services – restoring Canada’s public science capacity, reducing over-reliance on the outsourcing of government services, ensuring the integrity of the country’s tax system, and replacing the troubled Phoenix pay system.

Led by PIPSC President Debi Daviau, Institute members will meet with dozens of Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators, to advocate on behalf of public services and the professionals who deliver them.

“Canada’s public service is the best in the world”, said Daviau. “But right now it’s operating under a number of constraints that are limiting its ability to deliver to Canadians. Outsourcing of the work best performed by public servants, failure to pay them on time or at all, lack of resources to catch tax cheats and the need for more public science are all very serious concerns for our members that we will be discussing with MPs and Senators today”.

PIPSC representatives will call on the government to quickly find a fully-functional replacement for Phoenix; to reinvest in the Canada Revenue Agency; to increase funding for federal Research and Development; and to bring spending on outside consultants back to 2005/2006 levels, as promised during the last election campaign.

“We’re on the Hill today to remind Parliamentarians of the critical social and economic role that the public service plays in Canada. We’re here to remind them that we need to give public servants the tools they need to keep working effectively for Canadians”, concluded Daviau. 

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada represents some 60,000 public service professionals across Canada.

Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter (@pipsc_ipfpc).