Join us in standing with striking Chalk River Professional Employees Group (CRPEG) members at a pivotal moment in their negotiations with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL). 

We need your help to win CRPEG members the collective agreement they deserve! 

Here’s how you can help: 

Join the rally in Ottawa

Join us for our rally to tell the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources that our CRPEG members deserve a fair deal. RSVP below! 

What: Rally with us and enjoy free refreshments

When: Thursday, June 26, from noon to 1:00 PM 

Where: NRCan Headquarters, located at 580 Booth Street, Ottawa, Ontario

Spread the word on social media

Help us spread the word on social media by sharing our latest posts on Facebook and Instagram. Use our #SolidaritywithCRPEG hashtag and show your support loud and proud! 

Show your support on Zoom

Solidarity matters! Show your support for striking CRPEG members by changing your Zoom background to one of the following PIPSC CRPEG solidarity backgrounds. 

CRPEG members ensure the safe operation of nuclear reactors and support critical radioactive waste management and environmental remediation projects across Canada. Their expertise in nuclear medicine research impacts the health of countless Canadians. 

They protect us – now it’s time for us to protect them! 

CHALK RIVER (Ontario), June 19, 2025 – Members of the Chalk River Professional Employee Group (CRPEG)—represented by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC)—have voted to reject Canadian Nuclear Laboratories' (CNL) latest settlement offer following a three-day ratification vote that concluded Thursday at noon.

Following the vote results, PIPSC will serve notice to CNL that strike action will continue, with activities resuming Monday morning. The union will implement targeted strike action designed to maximize impact while working toward a fair agreement.

"Our members have spoken clearly through this democratic process," said CRPEG Group President Jonathan Fitzpatrick. "We respect their decision and will continue working toward an agreement that properly recognizes the professional value of our nuclear scientists and engineers."

CNL's rejected proposal included limited changes from previous offers that members found inadequate. While the offer featured a small increase in benefits coverage and removed problematic language regarding direct negotiations with individual members, it did not provide the meaningful economic increases sought by members or substantial improvements to health and dental benefits that have remained unchanged for 25 years.

CRPEG members ensure the safe operation of nuclear reactors and support critical radioactive waste management and environmental remediation projects across Canada. Their expertise in nuclear medicine research impacts the health of countless Canadians.

Negotiations had been ongoing since the collective agreement expired on December 31, 2023. The parties engaged in extensive negotiations over 17 months, including 27 days of bargaining sessions throughout 2024, additional negotiations in February 2025, and multiple conciliation sessions in April and May with the assistance of federal mediators. 

PIPSC acknowledges the continued support of the United Steelworkers (USW), whose solidarity has strengthened CRPEG's position throughout this historic labour dispute.

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Media contact: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (mobile), jfillion@pipsc.ca

After nearly a decade of Phoenix pay system disasters, the federal government has announced its decision to move forward with Dayforce as the replacement for the troubled Phoenix pay system. On June 11, Minister Joël Lightbound confirmed that the government is entering the "final build and testing phase" of the Dayforce HR and pay solution.

While PIPSC welcomes any step toward finally resolving the ongoing pay crisis, we remain cautiously optimistic and have serious concerns about the implementation process.

Feasibility study reveals concerning gaps

The government's decision is based on a feasibility study with mixed results. Most alarming: the study found that the government's ability to actually operate the new system was rated as "insufficient." This is particularly troubling since operating the system day-to-day is crucial to ensuring our members get paid correctly.

The feasibility report itself acknowledges: "While the Project demonstrated that it is feasible to implement Dayforce, this should not be interpreted as readiness to implement now."

Still years of Phoenix ahead

The reality is sobering. Full implementation won't begin until March 2027, with a final deployment decision not occurring until Winter 2027. This means public servants could be suffering under Phoenix for nearly four more years if complications arise.

The next two years will focus on testing with just two departments and one agency: Public Services and Procurement Canada, Shared Services Canada, and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission - involving only about 30,000 employees out of the 431,000 total.

Dayforce won't fix existing Phoenix issues

A crucial point the government continues to ignore: Implementing Dayforce will not resolve the estimated 370,000 unresolved Phoenix transactions still clogging the system. These existing problems must be solved separately, meaning our members face ongoing Phoenix chaos plus years of Dayforce uncertainty.

This is the current Phoenix reality for our members:

• 500 PIPSC members still have open, unresolved complex files
• 32% of federal employees reported pay errors in 2023-24
• At least $3.5 billion spent on Phoenix since 2017
• Over $150 million spent just looking for a replacement

Data sovereignty crisis

Perhaps most concerning is that Canada's federal payroll data will be controlled by Dayforce, an American multinational corporation. At a time when Canada-U.S. relations are strained, critical questions remain unanswered:

• Will Canadian data be stored on U.S. servers?
• How will data be protected under American laws?
• Why wasn't preference given to a Canadian company?

The one-size-fits-none problem

Dayforce inherits Phoenix's fundamental flaw: forcing a single system to handle more than 100 departments with nearly 150 different collective agreements. Many experts argue that multiple specialized systems would be smarter than cramming this complexity into one platform.

Six years of government stonewalling

The government continues to refuse extending Phoenix damages compensation beyond March 2020. After six years since the 2019 compensation agreement, they haven't even provided a rationale for this refusal. The solution is simple: extend the existing compensation framework for another five years to cover ongoing harm.

Our demands

We demand the government:

1. Achieve excellence, not "adequate": All system capabilities must be fully functional before launch
    
2. Resolve Phoenix backlog: Address all 370,000+ outstanding transactions before implementing Dayforce
    
3. Protect data sovereignty: Keep Canadian data in Canada under Canadian control
    
4. Extend compensation: Cover all Phoenix damage regardless of when it occurred
    
5. Full cost transparency: Disclose complete implementation costs beyond the initial $16.9 million

Looking forward

PIPSC remains committed to working with the government to solve this crisis. However, we will not compromise on our members' rights, privacy, or fair treatment. We've learned from Phoenix that good intentions without proper execution lead to devastating consequences.

Our members deserve better than promises and pilot projects. They deserve a pay system that works, compensation for harm endured, and confidence that their employer can fulfill its most basic obligation: paying them correctly and on time.

The decade of disaster must end. We'll continue to hold the government accountable every step of the way

For more information on Phoenix issues and PIPSC's advocacy efforts, visit our Phoenix resources page. Members experiencing ongoing pay issues should contact member services.

National Indigenous Peoples Day 2025 is coming up, and we want to celebrate with you! 

The PIPSC Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) Working Group is pleased to invite you to our Turtle Island Trivia event celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day. It will be a National Capital Region face-off!  

When: Thursday, June 26 from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM ET
Where: Online or in person
Address: PIPSC National Office (250 Tremblay Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 3J8)

Sign up alone or together with a team:

RSVP

For those participating online, once your registration is finalized, you will receive a Zoom link to join the event.

Registration closes Friday, June 20, at 5:00 PM ET.

We encourage you to join us at the PIPSC office, where we will have Indigenous pastries and snacks from Patisserie Kîsisam. This First Nation Oji-Cree-owned bakery uses only locally sourced and foraged ingredients. Chef Dominique Lalonde will bring vegan options to taste. It's a beautiful experience, as her culinary art includes storytelling about her Indigenous roots. 

The trivia will include questions on Indigenous History with a Canadian focus. The winning team of this year’s Indigenous trivia will receive a gift card from an Indigenous-owned business in their region!

The event will be facilitated in English and French - simultaneous interpretation will not be provided.

If you have any questions, please email Richard Gaboton, Advisor, EDIA, at rgaboton@pipsc.ca.

CHALK RIVER (Ontario), June 5, 2025 – The bargaining team of the Chalk River Professional Employee Group (CRPEG)—members of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC)—received a revised settlement offer from Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) on Friday, May 30th.

Shortly after presenting the offer to the bargaining team, CNL sent direct communications to CRPEG members urging them to call for a ratification vote. While the bargaining team notes that CNL chose an approach that differs from established negotiation processes, CRPEG has maintained its commitment to transparency and fostering unity among its members throughout these discussions.

In keeping with democratic principles, the bargaining team has decided to hold a ratification vote on CNL's latest offer to allow the membership to determine how they would like to proceed with the ongoing labour dispute. The vote will take place from June 17 to 19.

Details of Revised Offer

CNL's revised offer included only two changes from the previous offers. A small increase in health and dental benefits, which have not increased in 25 years and removes language regarding direct negotiations with individual members on office space. Questions remain about whether the increases meet members' expectations for fair compensation.

"Our members will now have the opportunity to review this offer and make their decision about the path forward," said PIPSC President Sean O’Reilly "We trust our membership to carefully consider all aspects of the proposal."

Strike Activities Suspended During Vote

Until the ratification vote results are announced, all strike activities will be temporarily suspended. This includes picket lines and the work-to-rule campaign that has been in effect since the strike began.

The 800+ nuclear scientists and engineers at Chalk River have been on strike since 12:01am on May 26. These professionals ensure the safe operation of nuclear reactors and support critical radioactive waste management and environmental remediation projects across Canada.

The outcome of the ratification vote will direct the bargaining team on how to proceed, with all options remaining available based on the membership's decision.

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For more information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (mobile), jfillion@pipsc.ca

Prime Minister Mark Carney has set an ambitious agenda to protect Canada, and we welcome it. His government is facing new and unprecedented challenges: economic uncertainty, global instability, trade disruptions, and threats to Canadian sovereignty. As King Charles III noted in the historic Speech from the Throne, "the world is a more dangerous and uncertain place than at any point since the Second World War."

The scale of the government's ambitions is impressive. From building the strongest economy in the G7 to doubling the rate of home construction, from eliminating internal trade barriers by Canada Day to cutting project approval times from 5 years to 2 – this is the kind of bold leadership Canada needs right now.

Ambition without capacity is just talk

But here's the reality: you can't deliver on more goals with fewer tools. The Throne Speech promises transformational change while simultaneously pledging to cap the public service and cut operating budgets. This contradiction undermines the government's own agenda.

Building a stronger, more resilient Canada means investing in the public service to succeed. Our members are the quiet force behind Canada's strength – dedicated professionals who protect the health, safety, and economic security of Canadians by building the systems we all rely on when times get tough.

Take the Major Federal Project Office, which will cut approval times in half while "upholding Canada's world-leading environmental standards." Who will staff these accelerated reviews? Scientists, engineers, policy analysts, and regulatory experts – the very public servants whose numbers the government plans to cap.

Public services: Canada's anchor in uncertain times

In a volatile world, the public service is Canada’s stabilizer. They are the engine behind our economy, our infrastructure, and our national security. They provide safety nets, protect public health, and ensure no one is left behind.

The Throne Speech acknowledges that "many Canadians are struggling to get ahead" and promises help through programs like the Canadian Dental Care Plan, Pharmacare, and child care. But these programs don't run themselves – they require skilled public servants to design, deliver, and improve them.

You cannot protect Canadians by weakening the institutions they rely on.

We've been here before – and we delivered

PIPSC members have a long history of stepping up in times of crisis. During COVID-19, our members were:

• Designing and delivering emergency benefit programs that kept families afloat
• Working in labs to develop mass COVID testing methods
• Keeping government systems running so Canadians could access support
• Training nurses to manage outbreaks and bringing Canadians home from abroad

Our expertise didn't just help manage the crisis – it helped lead the recovery.

This moment is no different. Whether it's implementing the new border security measures outlined in the Speech, supporting the creation of Build Canada Homes, or helping deliver on the promise to remove internal trade barriers, our members will be there.

Ready to partner for Canada's success

We're not just raising concerns – we're offering partnership. PIPSC members are ready to do their part to deliver on this ambitious agenda, just as we always have.

But that requires investment in people and services – not cuts, caps, or constraints. Prime Minister Carney's expanded cabinet shows the government understands the scope of the work ahead. Now they need to ensure the public service has the capacity to match that ambition.

We're here for Canada. Built to serve, ready to protect.

The question is: will the government give us the tools we need to deliver the Canada they've promised?

As of 12:01 AM this morning, the Chalk River Professional Employees Group (CRPEG) has officially commenced strike action against Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL). 

Today, 20 CRPEG members from the bargaining and engagement teams have been pulled from work, while the remaining membership is conducting work-to-rule action. Tomorrow, we will begin picket lines at CNL facilities and targeted strike actions.

This strike action comes after more than a year without a collective agreement and follows the strongest strike mandate in CRPEG's history. More than 800 nuclear scientists and engineers at Chalk River have made it clear they will no longer accept inadequate compensation and healthcare benefits while continuing to perform vital work that serves all Canadians.

CRPEG members ensure the safe operation of nuclear reactors, support critical radioactive waste management and environmental remediation projects across Canada, and contribute to nuclear medicine research that impacts the health of countless Canadians. Their expertise and dedication deserve fair recognition.

The issues at stake—fair wages, better healthcare benefits, improved working conditions, and protection against excessive reliance on contractors—are challenges that resonate across our entire membership. This is why the full weight of PIPSC and our over 85,000 members across Canada stand firmly behind our CRPEG colleagues.

As we support our fellow members through this action, I want to remind you that solidarity is one of our union's core strengths. The success of this strike action will send a message to employers about the value and determination of professional workers.

I will keep you informed of developments as our CRPEG bargaining team continues working toward a negotiated agreement that properly recognizes the professional contributions of our nuclear scientists and engineers.

Thank you for your continued solidarity and support.

Sean O'Reilly
President, PIPSC

OTTAWA (Ontario), April 29, 2025 — The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) congratulates the Liberal Party of Canada on winning the most seats in the 2025 federal election.

While it appears no party earned a majority of seats or the popular vote, all now share the responsibility of delivering for Canadians. In a Parliament without a clear mandate, the message from voters is unmistakable: Canadians want action that protects Canada’s future and improves their day-to-day lives—not partisan bickering or short-sighted cuts. Any party looking to hold onto power must demonstrate concrete progress on affordability, opportunity, and quality of life.

“At a time when Canadians are anxious about tariffs, affordability and rising costs, we need to strengthen what supports them—not weaken it," said Sean O’Reilly, President of PIPSC. “This means investing in the public services they rely on. You can’t balance the books on the backs of the people who keep this country running – and you can’t cut your way to confidence in the House.”

As the new government takes shape, all parties must resist the urge to scapegoat public services as a way to manage fiscal pressures. Public servants have always been there for Canadians—in crises, recovery, and uncertainty. The services they deliver provide stability and a lifeline in the toughest times. Cutting them won’t solve our challenges; it will only make them worse.

Instead, the new government must make choices that reflect the needs of Canadians and protect our long-term interests – including properly resourcing the CRA to crack down on corporate tax evasion and putting an end to wasteful outsourcing. These are resources that could help shoulder the economic burdens we face, yet continue to drain billions from the public purse.

“PIPSC stands ready to work with this government—and with all parties in Parliament—to ensure public policy is driven by facts, fairness, and a commitment to the public good,” continued O’Reilly. “And we are equally prepared to defend our members and the services they provide if they are targeted by short-sighted efficiency stunts.”

Given renewed threats from the U.S.—not just in the form of tariffs, but in rhetoric that challenges our very sovereignty—the government must remember what sets Canada apart: a deep commitment to strong public institutions, universal social programs like healthcare, and public services that benefit everyone. These are not costs to be cut; they are core to who we are.

PIPSC represents over 75,000 public-sector professionals across the country, most of them employed by the federal government. Follow us on Facebook, on X (formerly known as Twitter) and on Instagram.

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For more information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (mobile), jfillion@pipsc.ca