PSAC is calling on the federal and territorial governments to bolster access to healthcare and housing immediately to protect northern communities from the COVID-19 virus. Northern healthcare workers must also be provided with emergency medical supplies such as test kits, masks, hand sanitizers, ventilators and other necessary equipment to help them manage a potential outbreak. All workers who aren’t deemed critical should also be able to work from home to prevent the spread of the virus.

The FB bargaining team continued to push for greater protections against harassment and abuse of authority by management during negotiations with Treasury Board/Canada Border Services Agency March 9-12. Yet despite buzzwords like promoting inclusion, respectfulness and the elimination of harassment in CBSA’s 2020-2021 Department Plan – unveiled this week ­– there was little evidence of a tonal shift on these or other issues at the bargaining table.

Following a Public Interest Commission (PIC) report that backs the union’s demand for crucial wage adjustments, the Public Service Alliance of Canada will begin holding strike votes for civilian hospitality workers at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier. In a resounding victory for Non-Public Funds (NPF) workers, the Commission has sided with PSAC, calling on the government to fix wage gaps for employees whose wages lag far behind their peers in the industry.

Buckling under pressure from unions and RCMP civilian members, the federal government has agreed to delay moving employees onto the disastrous Phoenix pay system.