May 2 , 2008
We showed them the money
Your PA negotiating team finished its work on our pay proposal and spent two days, April 23 and 24, with the Treasury Board team.
Our proposal has three significant elements:
1. Adjusting our salaries to keep them in line with other federal public sector employers
We're proposing what are known as “market adjustments” so that salary rates in the PA unit are in line with comparable jobs in the federal public sector – particularly the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Effective June 21, 2007, before applying an economic increase, we're proposing that job rates (the maximum rate) for each classification, except WPs, be increased to the job rates for comparable positions at CRA when they were converted to their new classifications on November 1, 2007. To ensure that none of our members are left behind, we've also asked for increases to job rates for the small number of classifications and levels that can't be compared to CRA. These market adjustments, if implemented, would result in increases to all pay rates.
In the case of WP positions, and two groups of PM-4 positions with enforcement responsibilities, we're proposing adjustments based on the results of an Enforcement Study conducted for the Union by compensation consultants Morneau Sobeco. For WPs, we're proposing to increase all job rates, which would result in an increase to all WP pay rates. For PM-4 wildlife officers and fishery officers with enforcement duties, we're proposing an annual allowance, on top of the market adjustment for PM-4s, outlined above.
2. Changes to our system of increments
Right now there are differences in the number of increments for each of the groups in the PA bargaining unit. In order to even this out, we're proposing that there be a job rate (the maximum rate) and two increments for most levels in each classification. The period between increments would in most cases be 52 weeks and the difference between most levels in each classification would be 4%.
Deep discounts shouldn't apply to your job
We're proposing this change to stop the employer's practice of discounting your job. We understand that some members see the increments as a way for the employer to recognize their years of service. But think again. The actual value of each classification is the maximum rate. Increments are calculated downwards from that rate. In other words, every year that you are not at your maximum rate, the employer is devaluing your work, not recognizing it. We want to reduce the number of years the employer can take advantage and pay you less than your job is worth. Fewer increments mean more years at the maximum rate of pay.
3. A fair economic increase
After applying market adjustments and fixing up the increment system, we're proposing economic increases of
4.5% - effective June 21, 2007
4.5% - effective June 21, 2008
4.5% - effective June 21, 2009
The full details of our pay proposal are posted on the PSAC web site.
What's next?
Your team is back in negotiations starting on May 20. In addition to our wage proposal, we still have demands on the table. To date, we're still waiting for the employer to respond to our outstanding non-monetary demands. Treasury Board has indicated they want to discuss the elements of our pay proposal at the negotiating sessions in May and we'll be expecting their responses on our other issues as well.
Your support just keeps on coming – and it's terrific!
We can't thank you enough for the supportive letters and e-mails that you send us. They keep us strong, no matter what the employer does – or doesn't do – at the table.
Whenever you do something extra, like coming up with creative ideas for our mobilizing activities or sending us messages in special ways, it gives your team a terrific boost.
And speaking of special messages – we send a special thank you to the members of PSAC-USGE Local 50081 in Winnipeg who took the time to send us a package of photos of themselves and their families. They wanted to remind us that anything we gain in negotiations has an impact not just on our members but their families as well and they've inspired us to work even harder.
And a big Thank You to all the members who took part in activities on April 21 when we returned to the table.
Next day to show your support
Be a part of the activities in your area on May 21. We need you to send a strong message to the employer on that day: you want a fair wage increase!
We're united and we're strong!
Your PA team: Megan Adam, Ken Boone, Michele Coe, Sharon DeSousa, Debbie Graham, Louiselle Laforest, Doug Marshall, Sylvie Pinard, Geoff Ryan.
Home Site Map Contact Us Bargaining Search Join Our Union Français
Date Modified : 2008/05/14
Public Service Alliance of Canada | 233, Gilmour Street, Ottawa, ONTARIO CANADA, K2P 0P1, Tel.: 1 888 604-7722 (PSAC)