CANADA
Negotiations between the Canadian Government and the country’s largest public sector union, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) have failed to produce a payrise deal ahead of the 21 October General Election.
PSAC, which represents 140,000 Federal workers, said the Government’s wage offer fell short of what was negotiated with other Federal unions.
The union was also seeking to negotiate compensation to employees for the stress and financial hardship caused by problems associated with the failed implementation of the Phoenix payroll system.
PSAC is the only public sector union rejecting the Federal Government’s Phoenix compensation offer, which includes a one-time provision of a week’s paid time off, with the possibility of additional compensation awarded on a case-by-case basis and a cash payout equivalent for former employees or the estates of deceased employees.
National President of PSAC, Chris Aylward said the Federal Government agreed to cash compensation instead of time off at the bargaining table, but the offer “remained meagre and insufficient to recognise the damages inflicted on Public Service workers over the last four years”.
“PSAC came to the table in good faith, but instead of using this opportunity to deliver a fair deal for our members, the Government walked away,” Mr Aylward said.
A Treasury Board spokesperson said the Government put a fair offer on the table and was disappointed the union didn’t accept its last offer.
“It is not an accurate characterisation to say the Government’s offer fell short of the wage increases agreed to with other bargaining agents,” the spokesperson said.
Mr Aylward said there would not be another chance to continue bargaining until after the election.
Ottawa, 10 September 2019
