Negotiations are reaching a pivotal moment as Treasury Board continued to stall at the bargaining table with the Education and Library Science (EB) bargaining team May 11-12, 2022.

The bargaining team was dismayed with the latest round of bargaining, describing the tone from Treasury Board as patronizing and insulting. 

Negotiations began hitting a wall months ago as the government refused to negotiate any of the EB team’s priorities, putting forward concessions on scheduling and shifts under the guise of “improving flexibility.”

In the latest round, Treasury Board presented a comprehensive proposal that addresses only one of our bargaining proposals and doesn’t provide meaningful improvements to our members’ working conditions.

Treasury Board continues to push their proposals and have the nerve to suggest they know what our members really want.

Treasury Board also refuses to budge on their insulting wage offer at the Common Issues table averaging 1.7% over a four-year contract, which is completely at odds with soaring inflation rates.

Market adjustments

The employer has rejected every single pay proposal we presented in January. We have proposed fair and reasonable market adjustments for our members who are paid less than those doing the same or comparable work in the federal public service. Treasury Board suggests their research doesn’t support these wage adjustments, but they have not shared this research with us or made a counteroffer.

Treasury Board has also been silent about our proposal for an allowance to recognize employees who use Indigenous languages in the workplace. While the federal government has repeated its commitment to reconciliation, it has failed to take concrete action to preserve Indigenous languages and cultures.

Show your support

Meet your bargaining team, learn why they got involved in this round of negotiations and show your support with our bargaining graphics: 

• Video background for all your work meetings

• Printable poster for your work area

Get involved, stay in touch

Your support is critical more critical than ever for our success at the table. As negotiations near a breaking point, it is vital for members to show our collective power, calling on the federal government to negotiate fair wages and working conditions.

Join our May 17 national panel for key updates from PSAC national leaders, and to learn about strikes won during the pandemic.

Please be sure to keep your contact information up to date with the member portal to receive all the latest updates as we negotiate your next contract.