PSAC members from the Operational Services (SV) group met in Montreal from February 19-23 for the Treasury Board National Bargaining Conference to discuss the important priorities for the next round of bargaining and for SV members to elect their bargaining team. 

The Operational Services Group includes 10,000 federal government workers responsible for the operation of federal buildings and public services, including firefighters, tradesworkers, storespeople, cooks and hospital workers, lightkeepers and ships’ crews. 

SV members shared specific workplace issues, including unpaid work, health and safety issues, access to proper Personal Protective Equipment, and better access to sick leave. Other concerns were raised by members around the unsafe working conditions that members must endure, especially those who work in isolation like lighthouse workers and ships’ crews. 

To address these issues, delegates prioritized proposals aimed at improving job security, fair wages, hours of work, leave and greater workplace protections. 

Next steps 

The SV group collective agreement expires on August 5, 2025. PSAC will serve TB with notice to bargain in the coming weeks to begin the next round of negotiations.