PSAC CFIA | Public Service Alliance of Canada

Bob Jackson on CBC Radio

Jun 13, 2013 •

REVP Bob Jackson was on CBC Radio in Victoria on Tuesday June 11th, talking about sick leave in the federal public sector. Listen in below ...

Performance Management: Treasury Board must ensure fairness

Jun 6, 2013 •

On Tuesday, May 28th, Treasury Board President Tony Clement, announced with great fanfare what he called a new directive on performance management that includes a mandatory performance assessment for all public sector workers.

PSAC members are proud of the work they do on behalf of Canadians, and have no problem receiving feedback and having their work properly and fairly evaluated.

PSAC Nat'l President Robyn Benson on performance reviews

Jun 6, 2013 •

Robyn Benson, PSAC National President & Tony Clement were on CKNW's Bill Good show recently to discuss the recent government announcement regarding performance reviews in the federal public service. Here's the audio ...

National Public Service Week

May 30, 2013 •

With National Public Service Week just around the corner I would like to remind members in BC of the boycott that is in place. I have recently received information that some of our members are involved in organizing events with the employer and are planning to attend functions.

Pay in arrears: they finally come clean

May 30, 2013 •

In the summer of 2012, our members started hearing rumours that Treasury Board was planning to start paying employees “pay in arrears”. This means that instead of being paid in real time, you would be paid for the two preceding weeks. Eventually, when you leave your employment, you will be paid the final two weeks owing to you. No matter how you look at it, this would create a hardship for our members because in order to implement the new system, the employer is going to have to hold back two weeks of pay.

Essential Services Frequently Asked Questions

May 9, 2013 •

1. What is an Essential Services Agreement (ESA)?

An ESA is a written agreement between the Union and the employer that certain work duties are essential to the safety and security of the public and must continue during a strike. ESA's are required by the Public Service Labour Relations Act (PSLRA)

Laid-off Workers Can Finally Access EI Benefits

Apr 18, 2013 •

On April 12, 2013, Treasury Board issued a letter to all Heads of Human Resources and Chiefs of Compensation in federal departments and agencies regarding Records of Employment. The letter states:

“… the ROEs should be coded as code G (workforce reduction), when an employee leaves the CPA, under one of the following circumstances:

Federal budget 2013

Mar 19, 2013 •

PSAC is calling on the government to recognize that austerity isn't working – Canadians have lost services they need and job cuts are hurting the economy. You can't create jobs and prosperity by cutting jobs and services.

Sick leave and disability insurance: A negotiated benefit

Mar 18, 2013 •

Sick leave is a negotiated benefit

Sick leave provisions in collective agreements are a negotiated benefit for public sector workers who get sick; they are not a benefit for those who are healthy. Sick leave ensures workers are well enough to provide quality public services.

Any changes to the current sick leave provisions are a matter for negotiations between the PSAC and the federal government

Family Day in BC: Information for PSAC members in the federal public sector

Jan 18, 2013 •

We have had many inquiries from PSAC members about the new Family Day holiday in BC, which is coming up in February. Federal public sector collective agreements provide for 11 designated paid holidays, including a day in the opinion of the employer to be a provincial or civic holiday. Currently the civic holiday recognized by federal government employers is the first Monday in August. This means that federal public sector workers in BC will not be granted Family Day here in BC.

Here is an example from the PA Agreement.

OHS Canada Magazine: Silence on the Floor

Jan 15, 2013 •

Media coverage of the recent meat recall at XL Foods Inc. in Brooks, Alberta has focused primarily on public food safety. Justifiably so, considering that the meat processed by XL Foods is shipped to more than a dozen countries. But little has been said or heard about the invisible, voiceless workers — many of whom are temporary and foreign — toiling behind the walls of the plant.

Remembering Howard Willems

Nov 9, 2012 •

PSAC members are mourning the loss of a colleague, friend and brother, with the passing of Brother Howard Willems Thursday afternoon.

Howard worked as an inspector with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for more than 30 years before retiring in early 2012. His involvement with PSAC spanned decades and included co-charing Local and Regional Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Committees, and sitting on CFIA’s National OHS Policy Committee.

CFIA