The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada and the Treasury Board have reached an agreement that includes expanded parental leave top-up, paid leave for survivors of domestic violence and a wage increase.
“Our members give their best to Canada and to their families. We went into these negotiations to get a deal that acknowledges and supports this,” said Debi Daviau, president of PIPSC, in a press release. “We’ve made progress on parental leave and we’ve secured pay increases that reflect the growing cost of living. This agreement will improve our members’ lives.”
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The agreement, which affects 60,000 public service professionals across Canada, will expand parental leave top-up by five weeks and will also now apply to adoptive parents. It also includes 10 paid days of leave for survivors of domestic violence. “We want to make sure the workplace is not a barrier to survivors seeking support when facing domestic violence,” said Daviau. “This measure is a significant step in that direction.”
The union also secured language on harassment that enshrines the right of a worker to a workplace free of harassment and violence, noted the release. The agreement also includes a seven per cent wage increase over the next four years, as well as collaboration with the Treasury Board on replacing the Phoenix pay system, financial penalties for late contract implementation and retroactive pay.
“Our members have led the way on scientific integrity, contracting out, tax fairness and replacing Phoenix. With this agreement we are now making historic progress to end workplace harassment and secure measures on domestic violence,” said Daviau. “Our membership is focused, knowledgeable and engaged — that’s how we get results.”
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