PSAC recently concluded a historical round of bargaining on behalf of 130,000 members in the federal public service and negotiated new agreements for members in many other sectors. An important goal of every round of bargaining is to address inequity—here are some recent achievements.

Indigenous languages 

Two of PSAC’s federal public service bargaining units covering more than 70,000 members negotiated the establishment of a new joint committee on Indigenous languages. The committee will “review the use of Indigenous languages in the federal public service, examine Indigenous language skills in the performance of employee duties and consider the advantages that Indigenous language speakers bring to the public service.” PSAC expects that the results of this joint review will support our standing demand for an Indigenous languages allowance, consistent with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

Workplace child care 

PSAC’s new contracts with Treasury Board and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency secured the creation of new joint working groups on child care to examine and analyze employees’ child care needs. PSAC will use the joint committee to press for measures to make sure parents with young children get the support they need when they struggle to balance work and family responsibilities. 

Domestic violence leave 

All new federal government collective agreements now include ten days of paid domestic violence leave. PSAC negotiated this new provision to help those seeking assistance when experiencing domestic violence. PSAC has also recently negotiated similar provisions at the University of Western Ontario and the City of Yellowknife.

Support for Indigenous traditions 

PSAC is working to include special leave for Indigenous members in the North to support their traditional way of life. At the Inuvik Housing Authority, for instance, the union negotiated paid leave for hunting, fishing, or harvesting pursuits.

Promoting representation 

PSAC is laying the groundwork for achieving employment equity in university bargaining units. At Dalhousie University, the union has negotiated language calling on management to “reverse the historic underrepresentation on its faculty and staff” of members from marginalized groups. And at the University of New Brunswick, PSAC has negotiated that an equity survey of staff be carried out as a first step to achieving a representative workforce.