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Latest news

January
20
20
January

Canada’s immigration backlog in jeopardy after government cuts thousands of frontline staff; workers left in limbo 

Today’s announcement of 3,300 job cuts at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is a devastating blow to the public services families, businesses, and communities in Canada rely on, warns the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and its component union, the Canada Employment and Immigration Union (CEIU). 

January
7
7
January

Prorogation halts progress for workers, but our fight continues 

Prime Minister Trudeau’s decision to prorogue Parliament until March 24 puts an abrupt stop to all legislative progress, wiping out nearly all bills that haven’t been passed yet. This includes the Fall Economic Statement — along with its promises of pension fairness for thousands of frontline federal workers, such as border services staff and firefighters, and tax rebates for personal support workers, some of the lowest-paid health care heroes in Canada. 
January
7
7
January

PSAC fights for good pensions in the private and para-public sector

A pension offers financial security by providing steady income and peace of mind during retirement. While defined contribution (DC) plans are common in Canada, they are less reliable compared to defined benefit (DB) plans. DB plans guarantee retirees a predictable income for life, offering stability and protection throughout their retirement.

January
3
3
January

Fall Economic Statement: Wins for workers, gaps in justice, and challenges ahead

PSAC applauds measures to improve federal workplaces and strengthen public services in the federal government’s Fall Economic Statement released December 17. However, PSAC is raising concerns about further job cuts in the public service and a lack of investment in addressing racism and discrimination and providing justice for workers.
December
23
23
December

Federal government’s public service cuts will hurt families across Canada

For two years, former Treasury Board President Anita Anand promised that government spending cuts wouldn’t harm the services families depend on – but those promises keep falling short.

December
23
23
December

It’s not too late for the Liberals to reverse its pension betrayal

A version of this was published by the Globe and Mail

December
23
23
December

SV bargaining: Register now for dispute resolution votes 

PSAC will soon hold a vote for members of the Treasury Board Operational Services (SV) bargaining group to choose the dispute resolution process for the next round of bargaining. Members will decide whether to keep the current conciliation/strike process or switch to interest arbitration. SV members in good standing are eligible to vote. 
December
20
20
December

FAQ: Workforce Adjustment

Without prior consultation, the government has unilaterally announced plans to cut costs across the federal public s

December
20
20
December

Phoenix replacement Dayforce is being tested, and we need your feedback 

Public Services and Procurement Canada is currently testing Dayforce as a potential replacement for the Phoenix pay system through a series of User Awareness Sessions and the National Lobby Roadshow. These events are designed to give workers a chance to explore the platform, but PSAC has concerns about whether the results of these sessions will genuinely reflect members’ experiences.
December
20
20
December

Victory for PSAC members: All charges from 2023 strike dismissed or dropped 

In a major victory for PSAC members and labour rights, all tickets issued to members and staff during the 2023 national strike have been dismissed or withdrawn. Not a single fine or penalty was imposed, underscoring PSAC’s commitment to defending members’ rights and protecting fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. 
December
19
19
December

Flawed Frameworks: The harmful impact of New Public Management and lean production on public services

The effects of applying these methods are wide-ranging and often harmful.
December
19
19
December

Occupational Group Structure review: grievance resolved though settlement agreement

This marks a significant step forward in advocating for meaningful consultation and fairness in the Occupational Group Structure review.
December
18
18
December

PSAC seeks an end to unpaid internships

PSAC young workers across the country will be lobbying provincial, territorial and federal elected officials to eradicate the exploitative labour practice of unpaid internships.

December
17
17
December

Common terms used in the Workforce Adjustment Appendix

The Workforce Adjustment Appendix (WFAA) is a section within PSAC Treasury Board and Agency collective agreements that outlines the rights, obligations, and processes for managing situations where

December
16
16
December

Federal government moves forward on equitable retirement commitment for frontline workers

PSAC is pleased to see the federal government follow through on its commitment to provide equitable retirement benefits for thousands of frontline federal workers across the country in its Fall

Updates

December
20
20
December

Phoenix replacement Dayforce is being tested, and we need your feedback 

Public Services and Procurement Canada is currently testing Dayforce as a potential replacement for the Phoenix pay system through a series of User Awareness Sessions and the National Lobby Roadshow. These events are designed to give workers a chance to explore the platform, but PSAC has concerns about whether the results of these sessions will genuinely reflect members’ experiences.
June
24
24
June

Navigating the Phoenix adjudication process under the 2020 damages agreement 

Starting June 24, a new adjudication process is available for both current and former Treasury Board employees affected by the 2020 Phoenix pay system damages agreement. This process was negotiated by PSAC and is designed to resolve disputes quickly and efficiently if your claim for severe impacts has been denied.
March
1
1
March

State of Phoenix: eight years of the pay debacle

This week marks yet another unfortunate milestone in the history of a pay system that continues to harm hundreds of thousands of federal public service workers. From an overwhelming backlog in pay transactions to compromised opportunities for career advancement and delayed retirement plans, this pay system continues to take a heavy toll on our members.

February
29
29
February

UPDATED: Taxability of Phoenix damages – victory for members across the country

Retired and former PSAC members: If you are a retired or former PSAC member and received your Phoenix general damages payment in 2022 or

February
27
27
February

Largest federal public sector unions call for ongoing Phoenix damages on 8th anniversary

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.

October
30
30
October

PSAC files policy grievances over Phoenix overpayments recovery

PSAC has filed policy grievances challenging the government’s unilateral recovery of Phoenix overpayments without notice on behalf of PSAC members working for Treasury Board, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Parks Canada.  
July
11
11
July

Public Service Employee Survey: Phoenix debacle drags on, remote work still top of mind

The results of the 2022 Public Service Employee Survey show that – even seven years on – the effects of the Phoenix pay disaster still impact a significant number of federal public service workers.

April
6
6
April

Update: Phoenix damages taxability and deadline to object

In 2020, PSAC negotiated Phoenix general damages for approximately 165,000 PSAC members to compensate for the stress, aggravation and pain and suffering they endured because of the broken pay system.

March
1
1
March

Seven years and counting: the Phoenix pay disaster still impacting workers today

We are marking yet another bleak anniversary – the seventh year of the Phoenix pay disaster.

February
28
28
February

Seven years of Phoenix pay issues add insult to injury for federal workers fighting for decent wages

By Chris Aylward, National President, Public Service Alliance of Canada

February
24
24
February

Reminder: there is still time to file claims due to Phoenix impacts

PSAC members who have suffered personal or financial consequences due to Phoenix, whether they are current or former employe

February
20
20
February

Phoenix overpayments: more letters expected this year, and how PSAC is taking action

We are in the second year of the government’s aggressive and heavy-handed plan to recover overpayments caused by Phoenix.

October
5
5
October

Do you know a retired or former federal public service worker? They may be entitled to $2,500

Thousands of retired and former PSAC members are eligible for up to $2,500 in Phoenix general damages but may not know they can make a claim.

September
29
29
September

PSAC working to address taxation of Phoenix damages

PSAC is working with the Minister of National Revenue to establish a process to resolve the taxation of Phoenix damages.

September
1
1
September

PSAC files policy grievances over Phoenix overpayment recovery

PSAC has filed policy grievances against Treasury Board, Parks Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for their heavy-handed mismanagement of the Phoenix overpayment process.