For two years over 155,000 Treasury Board workers from across the country have been at odds with the federal government, their union fighting for better pay and conditions.
As of Monday, May 1st, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) has reached a tentative agreement that has put an end to the past few weeks of picket lines for over 120,000 in what has become one of the largest strikes in Canadian History.
Workers have now returned to their desks while PSAC sorts out the fine details of the agreement before the deal is ratified.
PSAC achieved a higher pay offer for its workers and has secured new protections for remote workers.
“During a period of record-high inflation and soaring corporate profits, workers were told to accept less – but our members came together and fought for better,” said Chris Aylward, PSAC national president.
“This agreement delivers important gains for our members that will set the bar for all workers in Canada.”
Highlights of the agreement
PSAC negotiated a 12.6% wage increase from 2021-2024. They will also be provided with a one-time pensionable $2,500 lump sum payment.
The strong strike action taken by PSAC workers across the country has been credited with providing extra pressure in order to achieve a raise that goes above the average inflation rate from the last two years.
PSAC has also secured its members with protections around remote work.
Should the agreement be ratified, remote work situations will be assessed on a case by case basis, rather than as a group.
A new joint committee will also be created to tackle issues of anti-racism and discrimination in the workplace.
Training courses related to employment equity, diversity and inclusion will be offered to workers and managers and will be available to them during their work hours.
Indigenous employees will soon have the opportunity to have paid leave to engage in traditional practices such as hunting, fishing and harvesting as part of the yet to be ratified deal.
More improvements related to conditions and wages of PSAC members will be released in the coming days, according to the union.
Next steps for PSAC members
Workers are back at their desks this week with the promise of a good deal on the horizon, the finer details are still being put into legalese for the union to vote on.
PSAC says that the full text will be provided to its workers in the coming days and once it is, an online vote will be initiated.
The union bargaining teams recommend ratifying the tentative agreement.
The tentative agreement is only for around 120,000 of the nearly 155,000 workers. For the remaining 35,000 Canada Revenue Agency workers, the fight continues.
