The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) and the largest federal government employee union, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), have reached a new collective agreement that will affect approximately 140,000 federal public service employees.
The collective agreement, which was ratified on September 13, 2021, includes a 2% salary increase retroactive to June 22, 2018, and a 1.5% increase in each of the following three years. The agreement also includes provisions for improvements to job security, family leave, and mental health support.
One key change in the agreement is the introduction of a new short-term disability plan, which will provide up to 26 weeks of full salary replacement for employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury. The new plan will replace the previous sick leave system, which provided employees with a bank of sick days to be used as needed.
In addition to the new disability plan, the agreement includes provisions for greater flexibility in work arrangements, such as telework and flexible schedules, which have become increasingly important during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The agreement also addresses issues related to diversity and inclusion, including the creation of a joint committee to develop and implement initiatives to promote a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
Overall, the new collective agreement between TBS and PSAC is a positive development for federal public service employees, providing them with increased job security, improved benefits, and greater flexibility in their work arrangements.