The Public Service Alliance of Canada and the Treasury Board have resolved a 2018 policy grievance regarding the PA Occupational Group Structure review through a settlement agreement.

Central to the agreement is the commitment to review the PA group job evaluation standards to address concerns raised by PSAC about gender bias in the standards.

As a result of this settlement, an independent third-party expert will conduct this gender-based analysis.

The agreement also establishes a framework for meaningful consultation with PSAC on the gender-based analysis and on the ongoing process of PA classification reform. This framework commits the employer to ensuring PSAC remains informed of future milestones and important developments in this process, providing PSAC with access to relevant information, and responding to PSAC’s feedback throughout the consultation.  The parties have also established a process for regular meetings on these issues.

Treasury Board has acknowledged the delay in implementing the long overdue PA standards and reaffirmed its commitment to PA classification reform.

This marks a significant step forward in advocating for meaningful consultation and fairness in the Occupational Group Structure review. By securing a commitment to an independent, gender-based analysis of the PA job evaluation standards, our union has advanced our goal of ensuring the standards reflect and evaluate the work performed by employees in the PA Occupational Group in a manner free from gender bias.

PSAC’s longstanding objectives for classification reform remain unchanged. Our union will continue to strongly push the government to replace the outdated Treasury Board classification system and to develop job evaluation standards that reflect current work realities and respect and value women’s work.