June 22, 2007

Tentative agreement at the CFIA

Your PSAC negotiating team reached a tentative agreement on June 20th for our members working at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. This is a one-year agreement that includes a salary increase of 2.5% effective January 1, 2007. The agreement would expire at the end of 2007.

The tentative agreement contains changes to reflect new provisions in the Public Service Modernization Act regarding union leave (the replacement of Conciliation Boards with Public Interest Commissions) and a Grievance Article to reflect our ability to file Group and Policy grievances.

The Maternity and Parental Articles were also updated to reflect the improvements gained as a result of the introduction of the changes made in the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan.

There will be a new transitional allowance for Financial management (FI) Group who have reached the highest level of their salary scale. The allowance will match an allowance provided in the federal public service.

In a near future, the PSAC regional offices will be scheduling a ratification vote meeting. Information on where and when the ratification vote meeting is being held will be available through your Local, your PSAC regional office and your Component.

If the tentative agreement is ratified, PSAC will begin planning soon for the next round of bargaining, including serving notice to bargain in early September.