Government moves from delays to insults in major round of bargaining with PSAC

After months of delays, PSAC bargaining teams representing 90,000 federal public service workers were stunned when the Liberal government tabled a series of offensive counter-proposals in the latest negotiations between the union and Treasury Board.

The Government proposed a wage increase of only 0.75% per year for 4 years, along with no retroactive payments. In addition, they requested the new agreement only take effect 365 days after it is signed by both parties. Aside from wage increases that would not even come close to matching inflation, such a long implementation period added to the time spent bargaining would produce a virtual two-year wage freeze for PSAC members.

"It’s outrageous that our members have been waiting three years to get paid correctly under Phoenix—and the Trudeau government won’t even come to the table with a serious offer. After what our members have been through, and what they continue to go through, the Government’s offer can only be described as an insult – it’s shameful.

PSAC members have been frustrated at the lack of movement in almost six months of bargaining, but that pales in comparison to what they’re feeling now. Prime Minister Trudeau promised a new relationship with public service workers – one of respect – but that couldn’t be further from what happened this week. This is a real betrayal.

The good news is that there’s no way PSAC is going to let the Liberal government get away with this. Every day PSAC members show up to work not even knowing if they’re going to get paid properly – they deserve working conditions that reflect that dedication, as well as the value of their work. We won’t back down until they get it." - Chris Aylward, PSAC National President.

Negotiations from November 27 to 29 will cover table-specific proposals for the four bargaining groups: Program & Administrative Services (PA), Technical Services (TC), Operations Services (SV), and Education & Library Science (EB); and issues common to all teams will be covered December 4 to 6.