OTTAWA, September 5, 2024 – The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) is mobilizing public servants to push back against the Treasury Board's inflexible 3-day return-to-office (RTO) mandate. In a show of solidarity, PIPSC and other public sector unions held a rally today over lunch time in Ottawa downtown (corner of Laurier and Bank). 

PIPSC President Jenn Carr challenges the lack of rationale behind the mandate: "PIPSC represents some of the most data-driven professionals in Canada. So when the government makes a sweeping decision like this without solid data to back it up, we have to ask: what's really driving this?"

PIPSC's own data reveals significant concerns about the mandate's impact, particularly when it comes to equity and inclusion. 

"The government claims to care about growing a diverse workforce,” continued Carr. “But our recent survey shows this mandate will hit our most vulnerable members the hardest."

The survey highlighted that a majority of women worry about balancing work and personal responsibilities under the new policy. Persons with disabilities report being more than twice as likely to struggle with managing accommodations. Additionally, a substantial portion of LGBTQ2S+ and racialized members indicate they're likely to consider leaving their jobs over this mandate.

Looking at these numbers, Carr expressed concern about the impact of this mandate on the future of the public service. "This ill-informed, one-size rejection of presence with purpose will limit our ability to continue to attract and retain the best and brightest from coast to coast to coast, once again."

The union argues that the government's approach fails to consider the progress made in recent years, which showed the value of flexible work arrangements.

"So what are we left with?” asks Carr. “A policy that threatens to push out diverse talent, worsen mental health, and make life more difficult for those already struggling. And for what? A solution to a problem that doesn't exist."

PIPSC is calling on the government to provide clear, data-driven justification for the mandate and to implement flexible work arrangements that account for individual needs and circumstances. 

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada represents over 75,000 public service professionals across Canada, including federal scientists and researchers, engineers, and health care workers. Follow us on Facebook, on X (formerly known as Twitter) and on Instagram.

Public prosecutors approve deal, but warn work is needed to fix a criminal justice system in crisis

FREDERICTON, August 7, 2024 – The New Brunswick Crown Prosecutors Association (NBCPA) have voted to ratify a new collective agreement with the government. NBCPA President Shara Munn said that this deal makes welcome progress but warned it is just the first step towards fixing the recruitment and retention crisis eating away at New Brunswick’s criminal justice system.

“After lagging far behind other jurisdictions, this agreement will mean more competitive pay for New Brunswick’s prosecutors. It makes up for some lost ground,” explained Munn. “But our justice system is under tremendous pressure. To fix this crisis, the government must act urgently to stop the exodus of experienced prosecutors and bring in the new prosecutors we desperately need. This means giving Crown prosecutors and Family Crown Counsel the resources, support, and fair working conditions they need to do their jobs effectively.”  

The deal provides more competitive pay for both prosecutors and senior prosecutors and NBCPA members voted overwhelmingly in favour of ratifying their new tentative agreement, with 86% of ballots cast in favour of the new contract. 

“New Brunswick public prosecutors take immense pride in their work. They work under heavy workloads and challenging conditions to keep New Brunswick’s criminal justice system going,” said Eva Henshaw, Acting President of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada. “This was a hard-won victory and shows the solidarity and commitment of New Brunswick’s Crown Prosecutors and Family Crown Counsel. We thank the government for this meaningful first step towards progress for crown prosecutors, while recognizing that we still have work to do.”

Munn added that while the deal gives the government a new tool for improving retention and recruitment, New Brunswickers should understand vacancy rates remain alarmingly high in prosecution offices across the province.

“Too few prosecutors cover too many cases, leaving them overburdened and looking for an exit. Vacancy rates have reached disaster levels in offices across the province. This could put public safety at risk,” cautioned Munn. “That’s why we have been raising the alarm with the government for years. This deal is a step forward, but we still have a long road ahead for the government to give New Brunswickers the criminal justice system they deserve.”

PIPSC represents over 75,000 public-sector professionals across the country, most of them employed by the federal government, and over 16,000 AFS members employed at the CRA. Follow us on Facebook, on X (formerly known as Twitter) and on Instagram.

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For more information or to arrange an interview with NBCPA President Shara Munn please contact:

Stéphanie Montreuil – smontreuil@pipsc.ca or (613) 804-7267.

OTTAWA, June 5 2024 – Over lunch time on Thursday June 6, members of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) will hold a rally for remote work rights outside Canada Revenue Agency Headquarters in Ottawa.

PIPSC Vice-President, Sean O’Reilly, and AFS (Audit, Financial and Scientific - CRA) PIPSC Group President Doug Mason will question the Canada Revenue Agency’s decision, despite being a separate employer, to follow Treasury Board lead.

PIPSC asserts that this is not about just another day a week in the office, it’s about bad workplace management, deteriorating working conditions and lack of respect for the employees who deliver the services that Canadians rely on.  

Date: Thursday, June 6, 2024

Time: Noon to 12:45PM. SPEECHES will start at 12:15 PM

Place: CRA Headquarters, 555 Mackenzie, OTTAWA (ON)

Speakers:

• Sean O’Reilly, Vice-President, PIPSC
• Doug Mason, President, AFS (Audit, Financial and Scientific - CRA) Group - PIPSC

PIPSC represents over 75,000 public-sector professionals across the country, most of them employed by the federal government, and over 16,000 AFS members employed at the CRA. Follow us on Facebook, on X (formerly known as Twitter) and on Instagram.

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For further information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (cell), jfillion@pipsc.ca

FREDERICTON, May 27, 2024 –– After over a year of contract talks, the crisis facing New Brunswick’s criminal justice system has continued to get worse. New Brunswick Crown Prosecutor President Shara Munn said that left Crown Prosecutors and Family Crown Counsel with no choice but to take action. A strike vote was recently held with a 100% participation rate that delivered a 99% strike mandate should talks fail.

 “We’ll continue to work hard towards a fair deal. But as talks dragged on the reality we face every day working to keep the criminal justice system going just gets harder and harder,” declared Munn. “We are disheartened this crisis has been allowed to get so bad. It’s especially disappointing that a government that talks so much about being tough on crime; has failed to work with us to strengthen our crumbling justice system.”

As the parties approach the next step, a planned conciliation meeting on June 14 and 15, 2024, Crown Prosecutors and Family Crown Counsel are looking for the government to back up their stated commitment to public safety with a willingness to negotiate fairly and present solutions to the recruitment and retention crisis.

“Recruitment and retention problems are putting our justice system at risk. We don’t have enough prosecutors or supports to do our jobs. That’s why prosecutors are united and saying with one voice: The status quo is not working. The government must act,” warned Munn.  “We are dedicated professionals who handle heart-wrenching cases while being crushed under heavy workloads. We’re committed to making sure New Brunswickers have the justice system they deserve. But if the government doesn’t work with us to fix this crisis, more experienced prosecutors will leave and the crisis will get even worse. Community public safety could be put at risk.”

“Crown Prosecutors and Family Crown Counsel want to reach a fair deal. We are standing up for the safety of New Brunswickers. The ball is now in the government’s court to come to the table and work with us in good faith on real solutions,” Munn concluded.

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 For more information or to arrange an interview with NBCPA President Shara Munn please contact:

Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (mobile), jfillion@pipsc.ca  

Acting President to Address Issues with Minister Anand at Mayor's Breakfast

OTTAWA, May 22, 2024 – The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) has released preliminary data from a recent survey of its members, highlighting significant challenges faced by federal public service workers under the new Return to Office (RTO) mandate.

"Our survey results reinforce this order's lack of evidence-based decision-making and nonsensical nature,” states Eva Henshaw, Acting President of PIPSC. “The vast majority of our members do not even have an adequate office environment to return to."

Key findings include:

• Fewer than 30% of respondents have a dedicated workstation.
• Less than half feel their current working conditions meet their needs.
• 50% of racialized, LGBTQ2S+, and people with disabilities are likely or extremely likely to consider leaving  the public service due to the RTO directive.

“There is a clear contradiction between the government’s RTO mandate and the government’s goals on increasing equity, diversity, and inclusion within the public service,” says Henshaw. “It’s time for telework agreements that will diversify the workforce and truly reflect the geography and demographics of Canada."

Further, one of the primary rationales behind the increased push for RTO – opportunities for collaboration – is not supported by the data. 

"91% of PIPSC members said their meetings are always or almost always virtual,” Henshaw noted. “The public might imagine teams working closely together in the same space, but the reality is employees are sitting on video calls all day – rarely even in the same building as their teammates."

PIPSC will be attending the Mayor’s Breakfast event in Ottawa this Thursday, where Treasury Board President Anita Anand is the invited guest. "Our attempts to engage with Minister Anand have been met with silence," Henshaw said. “It is concerning that we are forced to buy tickets to a municipal breakfast event to initiate a dialogue.”

In May 2024, PIPSC conducted a survey of more than 60,000 of its members working for Federal Departments or Agencies, to assess how the members feel after returning to the office. More than 20,000 responded to the survey. 

PIPSC calls on the federal government to reconsider its Directive and work with unions to develop smarter policies representing the present and future of work.

PIPSC represents over 75,000 public-sector professionals across the country, most of them employed by the federal government. Follow us on Facebook, on X (formerly known as Twitter) and on Instagram.

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For more information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (mobile), jfillion@pipsc.ca

Ottawa, May 8, 2024  — Today, leaders from Canada’s public sector unions held a joint press conference to reiterate their strong opposition to the federal government's mandate for a three-day in-office work week. This directive affects over 260,000 federal public service workers and has sparked considerable unrest due to its top-down implementation without union consultation.

"After months of negotiating Letters of Agreement on Telework tailored to the needs of our members, this new mandate nullifies our considerable efforts and erodes the trust we have worked so hard to build," said the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) Vice-President, Sean O’Reilly. “It sets a dangerous precedent and represents a colossal waste of time and resources for unions and Canadians.”

PIPSC is committed to fighting this unilateral decision that ignores members’ negotiated rights. The union has filed a policy grievance to challenge the bypassing of mandatory consultation requirements, and is preparing an Unfair Labour Practice complaint to address the breach of good faith and consultation standards. 

“We're not only defending our rights but also the principles of fair and effective workplace management” said O’Reilly. “As the largest employer in the country, this is something we will continue to actively fight for and something all Canadians should expect from their government.”

Treasury Board's decision has a particularly harsh effect on those groups still in bargaining, as a result of the employer's failure to discuss this with the Institute, they are being denied the benefit of basic labour relations principles and practices. 

"I can tell you with certainty that public service professionals would much rather be working productively, than worrying about rearranging their lives once again to accommodate Treasury’s Board’s latest nonsensical decisions,” said O’Reilly. “We are fighting back with every tool at our disposal and urging all public sector workers to join us in this critical battle."

PIPSC asserts that the decision to mandate federal workers into the office another day a week prioritizes external pressures over the delivery of quality public services, and blatantly disregards the evidence-based practices PIPSC has long advocated for. 

“Had there been proper consultation, the government would have understood the challenges our members are facing in these workspaces,” said O’Reilly. “Inadequate meeting spaces, insufficient workstations, and the absurdity of traveling to an assigned workplace only to attend virtual meetings all day. All this in the face of any of the supposed benefits of increased physical presence.”

PIPSC represents over 75,000 public-sector professionals across the country, most of them employed by the federal government. Follow us on Facebook, on X (formerly known as Twitter) and on Instagram.

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For more information call: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (cell.), jfillion@pipsc.ca

OTTAWA, April 17, 2024 – Following numerous promising announcements around affordability such as pharmacare and housing, the 2024 Federal Budget offered mostly cuts for the public service. The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada is concerned this will threaten the quality and accessibility of services – calling instead for strategic investments.

"Public servants are the lifeline of millions of Canadians – particularly our most vulnerable populations," warned PIPSC Economist Ryan Campbell. “Choosing cuts over strengthening the public service is a missed opportunity.”

Strategic Government Investment vs. Cuts

Budget 2024 confirmed that the government will achieve savings through the natural attrition of public service jobs, as outlined in the main estimates released in February. This represents approximately 5,000 full-time equivalent positions over the next 4 years.

“Make no mistake – cuts by attrition are still cuts. When you’re freezing budgets, you’re asking departments to do more, with less,” said Campbell. 

In the wake of the pandemic, the need for hiring was clear. But this hiring came after years of severe cuts that had placed considerable strain on the ability of the public service to meet the demands of a growing population. 

"It’s crucial to understand that slowing growth and making cuts are different strategies," stated Campbell. "Over the years, growth in the public service has aligned closely with the growth of the population, ensuring that services could continue to meet needs effectively."

Outsourcing Costs and the Need for In-House Investment

While PIPSC appreciates efforts to enforce higher standards of procurement, this budget fails to address the government's over-reliance on outsourcing. This means lower quality and more expensive services, as well as less transparency, less accountability, and the loss of institutional knowledge and skills in the public service.

"A shadow public service of consultants and temporary staff operating alongside the government workforce has been less effective and more expensive, offering a poor return on investment for Canadian taxpayers," Campbell added. “This trend must be reversed. Instead, invest in our public service to deliver essential services more efficiently and equitably.”

Reducing outsourcing would deliver immediate savings, and strengthen the fabric of our public sector – making it more resilient, self-reliant, and better equipped to serve the public interest.

Overlooking Phoenix

8 years after its introduction, 30% of employees are still reporting pay errors due to Phoenix. It is troubling that this budget promises the bare minimum – the funding outlined is only enough to maintain current activities on the file.

With pay problems on the rise, maintaining the status quo is clearly not good enough. As long as public service workers continue to face damages, the government must continue to provide compensation and accommodations. Public services are essential, and so are the workers who deliver them – they deserve to be paid properly, now.

Looking Forward

We are interested in digging deeper into some positives coming out of the budget, such as investments in the civilian workforce at DND and research, policies around tax fairness, as well as cementing the “right to disconnect” in the federal labour code.

Nevertheless, PIPSC remains steadfast in our commitment to advocate for policies that support robust, reliable, and fair public services. We call on the government to support initiatives that focus on strategic investments rather than reductions, ensuring the public service can continue to deliver exceptional services to Canadians.

PIPSC represents over 75,000 public-sector professionals across the country, most of them employed by the federal government. Follow us on Facebook, on X (formerly known as Twitter) and on Instagram. 

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For more information call:
Johanne Fillion: 613-883-4900
jfillion@pipsc.ca

OTTAWA, February 27, 2024 — Unions representing more than 260,000 federal public sector workers are calling on the government to negotiate ongoing damages for workers who continue to be impacted by the Phoenix pay system disaster. 

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) and the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) have formally requested that Treasury Board begin negotiating an extension of the Phoenix general damages agreements and the severe damages claims process to compensate workers until they are paid properly and on time – every time.

Federal unions negotiated Phoenix general damages settlements in 2019 and 2020, but years later, there’s still no end in sight for federal workers who are still experiencing pay issues paycheque after paycheque.

“As we mark the 8^th year of the disastrous Phoenix pay system, tens of thousands of workers continue to endure endless pay problems,” said PSAC National President Chris Aylward. “Workers deserve to be compensated for the pain and suffering they still face at the hands of a broken pay system.”

While all Canadians continue to deal with the rising cost of living, more than 380,000 federal workers can’t be sure they’ll be able to pay their rent, cover their mortgage or pay for groceries due to significant errors on their paycheques.

There are currently 444,000 transactions ready to be processed by the Public Service Pay Centre with a growing Phoenix backlog that is leading to frustration and hardship for workers. “Public servants – like all Canadians – deserve to be paid accurately and on time,” declares PIPSC President Jennifer Carr. “Despite promises to ‘fix Phoenix’, eight years later the federal government can only meet its own service standards 25% of the time, not even close to their own 95% target. That is completely unacceptable,” continues Carr. Whether workers are overpaid, underpaid or not paid at all, Phoenix problems continue to seriously impact federal workers paid by the broken system.  

Each pay period brings more uncertainty, with many putting off advancing their career or retiring from the public service – decisions that should be milestones, but now keep workers up at night. A growing backlog of pay issues and wait times to fix pay issues also weighs on the mental health of workers and has damaging tax implications, with pay problems following them long after they’ve changed jobs, left the public service or retired.

“The Phoenix Pay system marks one of the most expensive and harmful pay system modernization failures in the history of the Canadian federal government,” said Nathan Prier, President of CAPE. “Federal public sector workers deserve better than having their contracts broken on a biweekly basis for eight years. We will not rest until all workers are fully compensated and this issue is resolved once and for all.”

The government must also focus on hiring more compensation advisors to stabilize the current pay system and eliminate the ballooning backlog of pay issues.

Instead, this government continues to waste its resources aggressively clawing back Phoenix overpayments from workers as they race against the clock to recover before the six-year limitation period for overpayment recoveries expires, after which they have no legal right to recover the funds. 

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Media contacts: 

Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC)
PSAC Media Relations 
media@psac-afpc.com 
613-714-6610 

Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC)
PIPSC Media Relations
jfillion@pipsc.ca
613-883-4900

Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE)
Katia Thériault
Director of Communications and Public Affairs 
Ktheriault@acep-cape.ca
819-431-1015 

***** 

About PSAC 

The Public Service Alliance of Canada is Canada’s largest federal public service union, representing nearly 230,000 workers in every province and territory in Canada, including more than 165,000 federal public service workers. 

 
About PIPSC 

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) was founded in 1920. With over 75,000 members, the Institute is the largest union in Canada representing scientists and professionals employed at the federal and some provincial and territorial levels of government.
 

About CAPE 

With more than 25,000 members, the Canadian Association of Professional Employees is one of the largest federal public sector unions in Canada, dedicated to advocating on behalf of federal employees in the Economics and Social Science Services (EC) and Translation (TR) groups, as well as employees of the Library of Parliament (LoP), the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer (OPBO) and civilian members of the RCMP (ESS and TRL).

Ottawa, January 29, 2024 – The Government of Canada is improving the way it recruits, develops, and deploys digital talent across the public service so it can better deliver modern, effective digital services to Canadians.

Today, at the 2024 Digital Government Leaders Summit, the Honourable Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board, announced the launch of the Government of Canada (GC) Digital Talent Platform—an online recruitment site for digital and IT professionals.

The Platform simplifies the application process for individuals who specialize in digital and IT who are looking to apply for jobs within the government. As well, it will provide federal institutions with lists of pre-qualified individuals that match their digital talent needs.

The Platform is a key component of the Directive on Digital Talent, which supports the development and growth of the digital community through data collection and analysis for planning, talent sourcing, talent management and guidance across the government. The directive was developed with engagement and input from the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC).

The Directive on Digital Talent and the GC Digital Talent Platform, work together to provide the government with the access to the talent and resources it needs to deliver modern, effective digital services to Canadians.

Quotes

"Canada's public service is one of the best in the world — and we must improve the way we attract and retain new talent, especially for digital and IT. The GC Digital Talent Platform will improve the way we recruit digital and IT professionals as we work to better deliver services to Canadians in this digital age."

- The Honourable Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board

"We are pleased to see the launch of the Government of Canada's Digital Talent Platform, developed in consultation with PIPSC. We favour any effort to leverage the skill sets of government employees and streamline the hiring process – ideally reducing the need to hire contractors while full-time permanent jobs sit vacant. This initiative has the potential to deliver on both efficiency and financial prudence, benefiting the government and Canadians alike. This aligns well with our union's goal of consistent and cost-effective delivery of services."

- Jennifer Carr, President of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC)

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada's Digital Ambition outlines the approach the government is taking to support the delivery of digital government services and talent is one of the key enablers to deliver on this Ambition.
• The Directive on Digital Talent, issued in April 2023, is designed to deliver improvements in data collection, interdepartmental collaboration, planning, talent sourcing and talent management for the GC digital community.
• The GC Digital Talent Platform will improve the application process for individuals who specialize in digital and IT, and who are looking to join the government.

Associated Links

• The Government of Canada's Digital Ambition
• Directive on Digital Talent
• GC Digital Talent Platform

Montreal, November 29, 2023 – PIPSC concluded its landmark national convention today, marking a significant milestone in the union's journey towards becoming a 'beacon of progress' and preparing for the future in the labour landscape.

The convention, under the theme "Ready for the Future", showcased PIPSC's strategic initiatives and forward-thinking approaches, particularly in preparing for technological advancements, championing equity, and moving toward reconciliation. The unveiling of 'Navigar,' an innovative AI-driven career navigation tool, is a testament to the union's dedication to ensuring its members are well-equipped for the evolving nature of work.

A crucial part of the convention was the revealing of the study conducted in partnership with Know History, addressing PIPSC's historical role in colonial practices. This acknowledgment is a step towards reconciliation and reflects the union's commitment to understanding and rectifying its past as part of its progress towards a more inclusive future.

"This convention marks a pivotal moment in our history. We stand at the forefront of change, we’re not just ready for the future, but actively shaping it. We are committed to being a beacon of progress, illuminating the path for our members and setting a standard for unions across Canada. Our actions and discussions here have laid the groundwork for a future where innovation, equity, and reconciliation are not just ideals, but realities we live and work by every day,” said PIPSC President Jennifer Carr at the conclusion of the convention. 

The convention also highlighted the importance of preparing for political changes in the coming years, ensuring that PIPSC's bargaining, representational, and advocacy capacities are stronger than ever. The diverse array of speakers and the insights shared have sparked new ideas and strategies for the union to effectively navigate and influence the future of work.

As the convention concluded, PIPSC reaffirmed its commitment to continuous learning, embracing diversity, and fostering an inclusive environment where every member is valued and heard. The union is poised to leverage the insights and momentum from this event to drive meaningful change and ensure that it is well-prepared for the future.

PIPSC represents over 72,000 public-sector professionals across the country, most of them employed by the federal government. Follow us on Facebook, on X (formerly known as Twitter) and on Instagram. 

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For more information: Johanne Fillion, cell.:  613-883-4900, jfillion@pipsc.ca