The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) is proud to announce a sweeping victory in a precedent-setting policy grievance case against the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board has ruled in favour of PIPSC, affirming the rights of members to file classification grievances for their former positions.

The decision, issued on May 23, 2024, by Adjudicator Christopher Rootham, reinforces the rights of former incumbents to have meaningful access to the classification grievance process.  CFIA's current classification policy cancels classification grievances when the related job description is changed; however, unlike at the Treasury Board, the CFIA would not allow affected employees to regrieve if they had retired, quit, or changed jobs.  In a word, their policy granted them the power to wait out grievors in order to strip them of any recourse.  Adjudicator Rootham found this to be an unreasonable exercise of management rights and in violation of members' rights under the collective agreement and law.

While this decision does not automatically strike down CFIA's classification policy, we do expect that the Agency will adjust its policy to avoid future complaints in similar circumstances.  This decision also establishes compelling arguments against such practices elsewhere in the public service.

PIPSC has been the leader in advancing the rights of public service workers when it comes to classification.  While some public service employers have tried to exploit rules and procedures to pit former incumbents against current incumbents or one group of workers against others, PIPSC has stood up to defend equal classification and pay for everyone who did the job.

CFIA Group president Ayman Soryal applauded the decision: “I thank all of our PIPSC members for their patience as it took so long to reach the decision. At this point, the Agency needs to play by the rule  - the courts have agreed."

The Agency is required to contact affected grievors in certain VM (Veterinarian) job descriptions currently subject to a classification grievance.  PIPSC staff are in communication with agency staff to develop an implementation strategy.

The text of the decision will be published by the Board in the coming weeks.

Questions may be directed to compensation@pipsc.ca.

November 8th and 9th, 2024, at the Sheraton Centre Hotel, Toronto, Ontario.

ONLINE REGISTRATION 

August 19th to September 20th, 2024 – Once notified as having been selected to attend the PIPSC AGM 2024, all Delegates and Virtual Observers have to complete the online registration form. Please note that the deadline for registration will be strictly enforced.

DELEGATE SELECTION PROCESS 

Group Presidents and Regional Directors must submit their list of approved Delegates/Alternates and Virtual Observers using this form by 5:00 PM EST on Friday, July 26, 2024.

Once the lists are received, the National Office will communicate with each Delegate/Virtual Observer by e-mail inviting them to register online. Please note that Delegates/Virtual Observers will not be able to register until an approved list has been received, reviewed and verified from the Groups and from the Regions. 

The number of delegates for the AGM is defined in By-Law 13 and in accordance with the delegate count.

SUBSTITUTION DEADLINES

The deadline for any changes to a delegate's participation status is Thursday, October 31, 2024.

In-Person Delegates:

If an in-person delegate chooses to switch their participation from in-person to virtual, they must notify the AGM team by Thursday, October 31, 2024. 

If an in-person delegate must cancel their AGM participation entirely, they must notify the AGM team by Thursday, October 31, 2024. A Group or Regional Executive can then promote or appoint an alternate in-person delegate.

If an in-person delegate cancels less than one week prior to the start of the AGM (after Thursday, October 31, 2024), no alternate will be permitted to register for in-person participation.

Virtual Delegates:

If a virtual delegate must cancel their AGM participation entirely, they must notify the AGM team by Friday, September 27, 2024. A Group or Regional Executive can promote or appoint an alternate virtual or in-person delegate.

If a virtual delegate must cancel their AGM participation entirely, but misses the Friday September 27, 2024 deadline for cancellation, a Group or Regional Executive can only promote or appoint a virtual delegate up until Thursday, October 31, 2024.

If a virtual delegate cancels their participation less than one week prior to the AGM (after Thursday, October 31, 2024) no alternate will be permitted to register.

CHANGES TO INSTITUTE BY-LAWS

By-Law 13.1.4.1 states "No By-Law shall be enacted, repealed or amended by a General Meeting unless details of proposed changes were submitted to the Office of the Executive Secretary no later than twelve (12) weeks prior to a General Meeting." Proposed amendments to the Institute By-Laws must be submitted by August 16, 2024, by email at resolutions@pipsc.ca .

RESOLUTIONS

By-Law 13.1.4.3 states "Resolutions, in writing, must be received at the Office of the Executive Secretary not less than twelve (12) weeks before the commencement of a General Meeting." Resolutions must be submitted by August 16, 2024 by email at resolutions@pipsc.ca .

AGM resolutions are first received by the Resolutions Sub-Committee (RSC).

The mandate of the RSC is to consolidate, monitor and clarify resolutions for submission to the AGM. The RSC is available to help and to provide advice to sponsors regarding wording to ensure clarity and compliance with Institute By-Laws and Policies. If there is a cost associated with resolutions (financial resolutions), sponsors should submit related numbers with their resolution, for review by the RSC.

To assist in the process of writing resolutions, please refer to the pocket guide “Write that Resolution”. 

INSTITUTE FEES

Pursuant to By-Law 14.2.1, which governs fees, notice is hereby given that a change in the basic monthly fee may be proposed at the 2024 Annual General Meeting.

TRAVEL, MEETINGS & EVENTS CONSIDERATIONS

We are making every effort to be conscious of both our fiscal and political responsibilities at this year’s AGM. Costs related to the in-person event are being managed through member consultation and  rigorous evaluation. We’re examining ways to deliver a high quality member experience with cost containment measures in place. The Annual General Meeting exemplifies “presence with purpose”. As the supreme governing body of PIPSC, the AGM  not only provides members with the ability to conduct important union business, but also to connect and learn together. We look forward to the opportunities this in-person event provides, as we unite for positive change.

For travel to/from airports or train stations, we will be providing delegates with an Uber promo code that can be used to cover the cost of your transportation. If you are uncomfortable using Uber, you can still be reimbursed for taxi transportation.

You will be able to access all AGM information and resources through both the AGM mobile app and PIPSC website using your own device. Tablets will not be available for use at this year’s AGM as part of our cost containment measures. We thank you for your understanding.

Delegates of the PIPSC AGM 2024 can refer to the travel policy

Members are invited to apply for the PIPSC Member Facilitator Training Program. This exciting new program gives members (with or without facilitation skills) a chance to become a Member Facilitator.

Accepted applicants will have the opportunity to receive hands-on training to learn to deliver workshops using a popular education approach.

Participating in the program will help you:

• Strengthen our union
• Connect with other activists
• Develop and enhance your communication and facilitation skills
• Support member education

Training for successful applicants will be held from Monday, September 16 to Friday, September 20 in Ottawa. The training will be held in English.

The application process takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Application forms are due Sunday, July 14 at 11:59pm ET

Your responses are strictly confidential. Your information will only be seen by the PIPSC Training, Education and Mentoring (TEAM) Committee and the PIPSC Education Staff.

Please note that applying does not guarantee acceptance into the program, given the limited number of available spots.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at education@pipsc.ca

Member Facilitator Program 2024 Frequently Asked Question

OTTAWA, June 5 2024 – Over lunch time on Thursday June 6, members of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) will hold a rally for remote work rights outside Canada Revenue Agency Headquarters in Ottawa.

PIPSC Vice-President, Sean O’Reilly, and AFS (Audit, Financial and Scientific - CRA) PIPSC Group President Doug Mason will question the Canada Revenue Agency’s decision, despite being a separate employer, to follow Treasury Board lead.

PIPSC asserts that this is not about just another day a week in the office, it’s about bad workplace management, deteriorating working conditions and lack of respect for the employees who deliver the services that Canadians rely on.  

Date: Thursday, June 6, 2024

Time: Noon to 12:45PM. SPEECHES will start at 12:15 PM

Place: CRA Headquarters, 555 Mackenzie, OTTAWA (ON)

Speakers:

• Sean O’Reilly, Vice-President, PIPSC
• Doug Mason, President, AFS (Audit, Financial and Scientific - CRA) Group - PIPSC

PIPSC represents over 75,000 public-sector professionals across the country, most of them employed by the federal government, and over 16,000 AFS members employed at the CRA. Follow us on Facebook, on X (formerly known as Twitter) and on Instagram.

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

After over a decade of dedicated lobbying efforts, significant progress has been made for Public Service Employees with regard to the Supplemental Death Benefit (SDB) administrative procedures. Effective June 1, 2024, pivotal changes have been implemented, allowing individuals to designate up to five beneficiaries for the SDB.

This long-awaited enhancement to SDB, championed by PIPSC and our colleagues at other bargaining agents and the retirees' association. represents a significant milestone.   As of June 1, 2024, both retirees and active employees can now allocate multiple  beneficiaries to the SDB, providing them with greater flexibility and control over their financial and Estate planning.

Previously, the SDB only allowed for the designation of a single beneficiary. To circumvent this limitation, individuals often designated their "Estate" as the beneficiary, subsequently assigning beneficiaries in their last will and testament. However, this approach necessitated the probate of the estate.  The probate process, often protracted and intricate, carries significant tax implications 

For comprehensive details on these administrative changes and their implications, please refer to 

https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/information-notice/changes-public-service-supplementary-death-benefit-regulations.html

The 105th annual general meeting will take place Friday, November 8 and Saturday, November 9, 2024 at the Sheraton Centre Hotel, Toronto, Ontario.

More information on the AGM and delegate selection process to come.

FREDERICTON, May 27, 2024 –– After over a year of contract talks, the crisis facing New Brunswick’s criminal justice system has continued to get worse. New Brunswick Crown Prosecutor President Shara Munn said that left Crown Prosecutors and Family Crown Counsel with no choice but to take action. A strike vote was recently held with a 100% participation rate that delivered a 99% strike mandate should talks fail.

 “We’ll continue to work hard towards a fair deal. But as talks dragged on the reality we face every day working to keep the criminal justice system going just gets harder and harder,” declared Munn. “We are disheartened this crisis has been allowed to get so bad. It’s especially disappointing that a government that talks so much about being tough on crime; has failed to work with us to strengthen our crumbling justice system.”

As the parties approach the next step, a planned conciliation meeting on June 14 and 15, 2024, Crown Prosecutors and Family Crown Counsel are looking for the government to back up their stated commitment to public safety with a willingness to negotiate fairly and present solutions to the recruitment and retention crisis.

“Recruitment and retention problems are putting our justice system at risk. We don’t have enough prosecutors or supports to do our jobs. That’s why prosecutors are united and saying with one voice: The status quo is not working. The government must act,” warned Munn.  “We are dedicated professionals who handle heart-wrenching cases while being crushed under heavy workloads. We’re committed to making sure New Brunswickers have the justice system they deserve. But if the government doesn’t work with us to fix this crisis, more experienced prosecutors will leave and the crisis will get even worse. Community public safety could be put at risk.”

“Crown Prosecutors and Family Crown Counsel want to reach a fair deal. We are standing up for the safety of New Brunswickers. The ball is now in the government’s court to come to the table and work with us in good faith on real solutions,” Munn concluded.

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 For more information or to arrange an interview with NBCPA President Shara Munn please contact:

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

Acting President to Address Issues with Minister Anand at Mayor's Breakfast

OTTAWA, May 22, 2024 – The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) has released preliminary data from a recent survey of its members, highlighting significant challenges faced by federal public service workers under the new Return to Office (RTO) mandate.

"Our survey results reinforce this order's lack of evidence-based decision-making and nonsensical nature,” states Eva Henshaw, Acting President of PIPSC. “The vast majority of our members do not even have an adequate office environment to return to."

Key findings include:

• Fewer than 30% of respondents have a dedicated workstation.
• Less than half feel their current working conditions meet their needs.
• 50% of racialized, LGBTQ2S+, and people with disabilities are likely or extremely likely to consider leaving  the public service due to the RTO directive.

“There is a clear contradiction between the government’s RTO mandate and the government’s goals on increasing equity, diversity, and inclusion within the public service,” says Henshaw. “It’s time for telework agreements that will diversify the workforce and truly reflect the geography and demographics of Canada."

Further, one of the primary rationales behind the increased push for RTO – opportunities for collaboration – is not supported by the data. 

"91% of PIPSC members said their meetings are always or almost always virtual,” Henshaw noted. “The public might imagine teams working closely together in the same space, but the reality is employees are sitting on video calls all day – rarely even in the same building as their teammates."

PIPSC will be attending the Mayor’s Breakfast event in Ottawa this Thursday, where Treasury Board President Anita Anand is the invited guest. "Our attempts to engage with Minister Anand have been met with silence," Henshaw said. “It is concerning that we are forced to buy tickets to a municipal breakfast event to initiate a dialogue.”

In May 2024, PIPSC conducted a survey of more than 60,000 of its members working for Federal Departments or Agencies, to assess how the members feel after returning to the office. More than 20,000 responded to the survey. 

PIPSC calls on the federal government to reconsider its Directive and work with unions to develop smarter policies representing the present and future of work.

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