You have the right to be paid correctly and on-time and, if you are not, you have the right to file a grievance. Filing a grievance is an important procedural step that protects your right to have the dispute resolved by the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board. It also means the employer must meet with you and your union representative.

While a grievance may not speed up the process of having your pay corrected, the employer is obligated to listen to the problems you are having because of Phoenix, and must provide a formal response about what they are doing to correct it.

You can also consider filing a grievance if you’ve received a Phoenix overpayment letter.

1. I currently have a pay issue. Should I file a grievance? 

First, try to resolve the pay issue by communicating with your department or the Pay Centre. 

If that doesn’t work, it’s a good idea to file a grievance. 

The 2020 Phoenix damages agreement negotiated by PSAC and Treasury Board applies to pay issues that occurred between April 1, 2016 and March 31, 2020. Damages for Phoenix problems during that period should be sought through the severe impact claims process. 

However, if you have a Phoenix pay issue from April 1, 2020 onward, it’s a good idea to file a grievance to ensure you receive compensation for any losses. The existing damages agreement doesn’t cover losses past March 2020.  

You can reach out to your local or component for help you with filing a grievance. 

2. I filed a Phoenix grievance between April 1, 2016 and March 31, 2020. What is happening with that grievance? 

If your pay issues have been fixed and you've received your general damages, the Phoenix damages agreement states that your grievance must be withdrawn. However, you can claim compensation for severe impacts through the severe impact claims process. 

The decision that you receive from the severe impacts claims office can then be challenged by appealing the decision to the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board in the same way a grievance would be. 

3. Do I need to have a Phoenix grievance in order to file a severe impacts claim?

No. Anyone can file a severe impacts claim, whether or not they have a grievance, as long as they fit the criteria for making a claim.

4. I’ve received a Phoenix overpayment letter – should I file a grievance?

You should file an overpayment grievance in certain situations outlined in our guidelines on overpayment letters.