PSAC Members Hold “Here For Canada” Rally in Winnipeg
Winnipeg – The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) is holding a “Here For Canada” rally in support of national bargaining teams today (Friday, November 2) from noon to 1 pm at the corner of Main and Broadway in Winnipeg. Negotiations are currently underway with the Canada Revenue Agency, Treasury Board, Parks Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Nav Canada.
PSAC has recently launched the “Here for Canada” campaign” to highlight the dedication of public service workers throughout the Phoenix pay system disaster, which has now been going on for two and a half years.
“Despite everything they have gone through, our members are still Here For Canada: They protect our borders, ensure our food is safe, and provide other vital functions like getting out pension cheques, child benefits, and EI,” said Marianne Hladun, Regional Executive Vice-President, PSAC – Prairie Region. “It is outrageous that PSAC members are still waiting to be paid correctly, and on time. We are asking Canadians to stand with us and demand that the federal government come to the bargaining table with a mandate to compensate federal public service workers for the Phoenix fiasco and the work our members continue to do.”
PSAC’s Phoenix-related demands include:
- Employees are to be paid on time, and daily interest is to be paid to employees who do not receive their proper pay, based on the Bank of Canada’s daily compounded interest rate.
- No repayments of overpayments are to be made until all the employee’s pay issues have been resolved. Moreover, the repayment schedule will not exceed 10% of the employee’s net pay unless the employee opts for a larger amount.
- Rules around salary and benefit advances, and language providing for accountant and financial management counselling for employees negatively impacted by Phoenix.
PSAC also represents a number of members not employed by the federal government and its agencies. These include: Airports and crown corporations; Casino Regina; the Universities of Saskatchewan, Winnipeg and Brandon; the Canadian Museum of Human Rights, Deer Lodge Centre; the Port of Churchill; and the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development. Negotiations are currently underway at many of these locations as well.
“The strength of our union is our diversity,” said Marianne Hladun, Regional Executive Vice-President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada. “We come from many backgrounds and have different employers. We know that we are at our strongest when we stand together.”
Note for media: Marianne Hladun will be available for interviews.
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