News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 24, 2017
After one-year, union renews call to fix Phoenix pay system
To mark the first anniversary of Phoenix, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), has asked members to take individual actions to draw attention to the Phoenix pay system and its continuing problems and let the Liberal government know that one year of pay problems is one year too many.
Members are participating by calling their MP’s constituency office, tweeting or writing their MP, participating in PSAC’s online action to send a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and sharing their thoughts on social media.
“We get calls from members on a daily basis about Phoenix problems,” said Marianne Hladun, Regional Executive Vice-President, PSAC Prairie Region. “It’s been a year. It’s time that this government finally fix Phoenix and compensate the thousands of public service workers that have been impacted.”
One year after its launch, the Phoenix pay system is still not working. Thousands of public service workers have been paid incorrectly or not at all. Many more worry every pay day if they will be the next victim of the Phoenix debacle. It is also putting excessive stress on the employees who process pay under the new system.
PSAC members have been underpaid, not paid at all, or had to wait months for their paycheques. In one of the worst cases, a member faced foreclosure on her house and additional legal fees. Now, with tax season upon us, there are major tax implications.
Yesterday, PSAC, the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), and the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) called on the government to include a $75 million Phoenix contingency fund in the upcoming federal budget. The $75 million contingency fund will give departments and agencies the resources they need for the staff and training to deal with Phoenix.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) represents more than 170,000 workers across Canada, including more than 20,000 throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.