FAQ: Treasury Board bargaining

*If you still have questions about the strike, Please contact your PSAC Regional Office.

Bargaining updates

What is the status of negotiations for Treasury Board workers?

We first began the bargaining process in December 2020 with the input call for bargaining proposals and PSAC’s bargaining input survey. In April 2021, we held the Treasury Board bargaining conference to align our priorities before we began negotiations in June 2021.

In May 2022, we made the difficult decision to declare impasse in negotiations with Treasury Board. At the time, we filed for conciliation with the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board. While waiting for the Public Interest Commission hearings, both parties engaged in mediation, but even then, the government refused to compromise.

We continued to see no progress as we presented at Public Interest Commission — or PIC — hearings in December. Under the law that governs contract negotiations in the federal public service, a PIC is established to help the parties reach an agreement once impasse is declared at the bargaining table.

We have since received PIC reports for all groups, which are non-binding and are meant to guide PSAC and the government to reach a settlement. The PIC report for the PA group addressed our wage proposal and offered a pathway to make gains for workers. Unfortunately, it still fell short of PSAC’s demands to reach a fair contract that keeps up with the rising cost of living.

PSAC announced strike votes for 120,000 federal public service workers across the country from February 22 to April 11. As those strike votes continued, PSAC and the federal government resumed negotiations with the assistance of third-party mediators. The Common Issues bargaining team continued talks from April 2-6, followed by the PA, SV, TC, and EB teams April 11-14.

On April 12, PSAC released the results of the votes, announcing a strike mandate for more than 120,000 federal government workers employed by Treasury Board. The announcement came on the heels of the strike mandate announced on April 7 for 35,000 PSAC-UTE members working at the Canada Revenue Agency.

Treasury Board members were in a strike position immediately, and members working for CRA were in a strike position as of April 14. Though nothing has been announced yet and negotiations continue, a strike by PSAC members working for the federal government would be the largest against any single employer in Canada’s history.

What are the outstanding issues at the table?

For nearly two years, the government has dragged their feet and refused to address our key priorities — not the least of which is fair wages that protect workers from skyrocketing inflation. Instead, they tabled serious concessions that impact our rights by weakening job security and access to leave to care for our families.

Treasury Board’s insulting wage offer — averaging 2.06% per year from 2021–25 — is completely out of touch with the soaring cost of living across Canada and asks workers to take a big pay cut when they need a raise most.

As Canada’s largest employer, the federal government needs to lead by example and show they’ll be here for Canadians by setting the bar with wages and working conditions that don’t leave workers behind.

Other key issues include:

Job security: We’re seeking improvements to the Workforce Adjustment Appendix that would ensure a fair and transparent process. But Treasury Board is proposing concessions that would make it harder for laid off or surplus workers to find other work in the federal public service.
Remote work: Remote work has become a part of everyday life for many workers. Our experience during this pandemic has shown that public service workers can be as effective working remotely as they are in the office. Now it’s time to look to the future by enshrining remote work protections into our collective agreements. Unilaterally changing the terms and conditions of our members’ employment and imposing a mandatory return to offices is an egregious violation of workers’ collective bargaining rights.
Systemic racism in the workplace: Fighting racism and building a more diverse public service is supposed to be a top priority for this government. They should work with us to remove barriers and dismantle the structures that sustain racism in our workplaces.
Work-life balance: PSAC is fighting for the right to disconnect to ensure workers aren’t tethered to their work by having to check their emails and work phones after hours.
Contracting out and privatization: When public money goes into private pockets, Canadians lose out with higher costs, more risk, and reduced quality of services. Just look at the tragic public health outcomes at private nursing homes when COVID-19 hit.

Is my existing collective agreement still in effect during the bargaining process?

The current collective agreements expired on the following dates:

PA: June 20, 2021
SV: August 4, 2021
TC: June 21, 2021
EB: June 30, 2021

Terms of these collective agreements continue to apply after they expire and until a new collective agreement is signed. However, the collective agreement is no longer in effect once a strike has been called.

What bargaining unit am I in?

Treasury board members belong to one of four bargaining units:

Program and Administrative Services (PA): Over 99,000 workers in nine occupational groups.
Operational Services (SV): Over 10,000 workers in eight occupational groups.
Technical Services (TC): Over 10,500 workers in six occupational groups.
Education and Library Science (EB): Over 1,100 workers in three occupational groups.

The Common Issues group also meets with the employer to negotiate gains for workers at all Treasury Board tables. Together, these groups represent more than 120,000 federal public service workers.

About strike action

When could PSAC potentially call a strike?

On April 12, PSAC announced a strike mandate for more than 120,000 federal government workers employed by Treasury Board. The announcement came on the heels of the strike mandate announced on April 7 for 35,000 PSAC-UTE members working at the Canada Revenue Agency.

Treasury Board members were in a strike position immediately, and members working for CRA were in a strike position as of April 14. Though nothing has been announced yet and negotiations continue, a strike by PSAC members working for the federal government would be the largest against any single employer in Canada’s history.

The National Strategy Coordinating Committee (NSCC) coordinates all PSAC resources and activities in support of bargaining teams and in the event of a strike. Members of each bargaining team sit on this committee. The NSCC will weigh our strategic options and factor in whether negotiations are progressing before making a recommendation to the national president, who under the PSAC Constitution has the authority to call a strike.

Currently, negotiations are continuing with the assistance of third-party mediators. However, we are in a legal strike position. Under the legislation, we have 60 days to call a strike following a favourable strike vote — meaning a strike could be called anytime until June 10 for Treasury Board workers and June 5 for CRA workers.

To ensure you receive the latest strike information, it is essential we have your personal, non-work email address and personal cellphone number on file. You can update your contact information online by logging in to PSAC's member portal or creating an account.

Does the union have to give the employer 72-hours' notice?

The Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act does not require the union to provide the employer with 72-hour strike notice. However, members will be given notice before a strike is called.

What do we have to gain by going on strike?

While there has not been a large federal public service strike since 2004, strikes by PSAC members in the past brought about major improvements that members enjoy today.

In 1980, tens of thousands of PSAC members launched a strike against Pierre Trudeau’s Liberals leading to groundbreaking maternity leave benefits and, soon after, the 93 per cent top-up.
In 1991, PSAC members walked off the job in the largest strike in Canadian history up to that point and brought about major gains in job security through what is known today as the Work Force Adjustment Directive.
In 2001, the ‘Workless Wednesdays’ strike against Jean Chrétien’s Liberals led to the current Treasury Board policy requiring the conversion of term employees to indeterminate status after three years. It also led to the creation of the Joint Learning Program, which has resulted in major improvements in combating discrimination and harassment and addressing mental health in the workplace.
In 2004, Parks Canada members led the way for what would be a large multi-unit national strike that made the employer come back with 2.5% per year over three years, an increase over their previous offer.
In 2021, PSAC-CIU members in the FB group held a work-to-rule strike that lasted 15 hours and won workers an eight per cent wage increase, better protections against excessive discipline in the workplace, leave improvements, and paid meal compensation for uniformed officers.
In 2022, 170 members at the Office of the Auditor General in Ottawa went on strike for 128 days — a long, difficult strike that put an incredible strain on their employer and ultimately won members a revamp of their pay grid and paid domestic violence leave, among other achievements.

I wasn't able to take part in strike votes, now what?

Don't worry! It's not too late to join the fight for decent wages and better working conditions.

Now that an overwhelming majority of members have voted in favour of a strike mandate, it's time to take action. In the coming days, we'll be preparing for strike action across the country for 155,000 workers.

We know the best way to avoid a strike is to prepare for one, so make sure your contact information is up to date by joining our mailing list and checking out the latest updates for Treasury Board members and CRA members.

Where will I be picketing?

In the event of a national strike, PSAC will be launching a picket line finder where you can enter your postal code and find a picket line near you.

In some cases, including in remote areas, your PSAC regional office may reach out to you directly about picket line locations.

How do I sign in at a picket line if we go on strike?

As we prepare for potential strike action, PSAC will send you a personalized barcode to scan into a picket line near you in the event of a strike. Please ensure you check your email regularly for your barcode and bring it with you, either on your mobile device or by printing it out when you head to the picket line.

This email will be sent to you with the following subject line: “Important information to attend a picket line.”

PSAC will also have a picket line finder to help you find the picket line closest to you in the event of a strike. You can attend any picket line and scan in with your personalized barcode or PSAC ID when you arrive. PSAC's picket line finder will be located on the PSAC national website if a strike is launched, so watch for it there.

Why is it important for members to participate in strike action?

This is a truly historic moment for workers. A strike by PSAC would be one of the largest strikes in Canada’s history and mean real gains for our members at the table. Together, we wield incredible power and can shut the government down to secure a fair contract and set a standard that supports unionized and non-unionized workers across the country.

When we work together, we apply maximum pressure on the government, which can lead to a shorter strike and a better collective agreement for workers. But when we’re divided, we show the employer we aren’t prepared to fight for decent wages and better working conditions.

Who is not permitted to strike?

Only members of the PA, SV, TC, or EB bargaining groups, and CRA employees, are eligible to take strike action in the event of a strike.

Those who are not permitted to participate in a strike include:

Employees who occupy positions designated as essential while on duty (see “What do the essential services codes mean?” in the Essential Services section below for distinctions between Codes 1, 2, and 3, and other important information about essential services);
Employees who occupy positions excluded from the bargaining unit (including some managerial or confidential positions);
Employees who are not a part of the PSAC units in a legal strike position (i.e., employees who are not a part of the CRA, PA, SV, TC, or EB bargaining units);
Term employees of less than three months;
Workers who are employed on a casual basis;
And workers in a student employment program.

If you fall into any of these categories, you can still support the strike in other ways. Please refer to the question “How can essential service employees support their colleagues on strike” in the Essential Services section below for more information.

Can my employer discipline me or terminate me for participating in lawful strike action?

We are aware of emails from the employer reminding employees of their obligation to adhere to the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector, and indicating any breaches may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. The right to strike is constitutionally protected under the freedom of association in s. 2(d) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act states that every employee is free to participate in the lawful activities of the union. In addition, the Act prohibits the employer and its managers from engaging in reprisals against employees for their exercise of rights under the Act, including their right to participate in lawful strike action.

Keep in mind, however, that "off duty conduct" principles continue to govern even during a lawful strike, so members should always conduct themselves in a lawful and appropriate manner.

Where the employer or its managers engage in unlawful reprisals against lawfully striking members, the union will take swift action to challenge any such measures.

Am I required to advise the employer that I am on strike?

There is no legal requirement that you inform the employer that you are on strike, either at the commencement of strike action or daily. You are not required to have any communication with your manager unless you're an essential worker with an ESA letter, or you’re asked to return employer equipment.

Why is the employer advising members they can continue to work?

What if my manager asks me to work?

To receive strike pay, all non-ESA PSAC members working for Treasury Board and Canada Revenue Agency are required to take part in strike activities in the event of a strike. If you are not an essential employee and your manager asks you to work during a strike, you should decline and report the manager's request to the union.

Are members who work remotely required to strike?

Yes. Remote work or telework allows an employee to work from home rather than from a specific worksite but does not exclude them from the bargaining unit. Continuing to work remotely during a strike is considered crossing the picket line and is a violation of Section 25 of the PSAC Constitution. Members who normally work remotely should join their nearest picket line with their coworkers.

If you are working remotely because of inability to travel to the worksite or another accommodation, please contact your union steward, local executive, or PSAC regional office to discuss alternate arrangements to ensure you can still support the strike.

I'm no longer a member in good standing. Can I still take part in strike action?

Yes! All PSAC members working for Treasury Board and Canada Revenue Agency are required to take part in strike activities in the event of a strike, even if your membership status isn't up to date. You'll still be expected to show up at a picket line, and you'll still receive strike pay for working four hours per day on a picket line.

As we continue to prepare for a possible strike, PSAC will be launching a picket line finder to assist with joining a picket line nearest to you. And expect other important information about a strike, including emails about strike pay, and picket line attendance.

Make sure your contact information is up to date by joining our mailing list and checking out the latest updates for Treasury Board members and CRA members.

I need to update my contact info.

You can update your contact information online by logging in to PSAC's member portal or creating an account.

If you have any issues logging in or creating your account, please reach out to our dedicated team by visiting the Contact Us page and choosing "PSAC online account help" from the dropdown menu.

Do I have the right to keep working in the event of a strike?  

We are aware of emails from the employer encouraging PSAC members to continue working in the event of a strike. This is a classic and often seen union-busting tactic that aims to undermine our efforts to secure a fair agreement for all workers — including wages that keep up with the rising cost of living and don’t force you to take a pay cut. 

Any member who works during a strike, including working remotely, betrays the entire bargaining unit. Crossing a picket line, whether in person or remotely, weakens our bargaining position and can cause the strike to last longer or result in a deal that’s less than workers deserve. It could also have long-term impacts on the working relationships between the coworkers who held the line and made sacrifices to get a good deal for everyone, and those who sided with the employer.  

Members who cross the picket line by performing work for the employer could face fines and suspension of membership privileges. PSAC’s Constitution outlines disciplinary action that can be taken against members, including “a fine that equals the amount of daily renumeration earned by the member, multiplied by the number of days that the member crossed the picket line, performed work for the employer, or voluntarily performed struck work.” 
 
If you notice a member who is not respecting the strike action, speak to them and make sure they are aware of the situation and expectations, and talk to them about what’s at stake. If your manager is encouraging you to cross the picket line, notify your union steward, local executive, or PSAC regional office immediately. 

When we work together, we apply maximum pressure on the employer, which can lead to a faster, more rewarding conclusion to the strike. 

How much will I be fined if I cross the picket line?

Members who cross the picket line by performing work for the employer could face fines and suspension of membership privileges. PSAC’s Constitution outlines disciplinary action that can be taken against members, including “a fine that equals the amount of daily renumeration earned by the member, multiplied by the number of days that the member crossed the picket line, performed work for the employer, or voluntarily performed struck work.” 

Crossing a picket line could also have long-term impacts on the working relationships between the coworkers who held the line and made sacrifices to get a good deal for everyone, and those who sided with the employer.  

Pay during a strike

What will happen to my pay?

Interruptions in pay would be unlikely, although it is possible. If we take strike action, past practice shows that the employer would likely recover wages paid during the strike after a settlement is reached.

Members will enter any time missed due to job action in their departmental PeopleSoft upon return to office using the appropriate time code (i.e., 9550 - LWOP-Strike Participation).

Will I receive strike pay?

Strike pay is governed by Regulation 6 in PSAC’s Constitution. Members are expected to attend a picket line for a minimum of four hours per day to qualify for strike pay.

When you arrive at the picket line, find a picket captain to scan your barcode (which will be emailed to you), and remember to do the same thing at the end of your four-hour picket shift. Follow this procedure each day you’re on the picket line to confirm your attendance and ensure you receive strike pay. If you misplace your barcode, your PSAC ID can also be used to sign in. 

Members who usually work 20 hours or more each week will receive the following strike pay:

Members who work in Yukon: $103.20 per day, for a maximum per calendar week of $516.00
Members who work in Northwest Territories: $117.35 per day, for a maximum per calendar week of $586.75
Members who work in Nunavut: $141.00 per day, for a maximum per calendar week of $705.00
Members who work in elsewhere in Canada: $75.00 per day, for a maximum per calendar week of $375.00

Members who usually work less than 20 hours per week will receive the following strike pay:

Members who work in Yukon: $72.24 per day, for a maximum per calendar week of $361.20
Members who work in Northwest Territories: $82.15 per day, for a maximum per calendar week of $410.75
Members who work in Nunavut: $98.70 per day, for a maximum per calendar week of $493.50
Members who work in elsewhere in Canada: $53.00 per day, for a maximum per calendar week of $265.00

Some PSAC components and locals may also choose to top-up members’ strike pay.

When will I receive my strike pay?

PSAC will process strike pay weekly. Members should have already received a link to register for strike pay by Interac e-Transfer (see the Strike pay via interac e-Transfer section below for more information). Authorizing PSAC to pay you by e-Transfer will ensure you receive your strike pay in a timely and efficient manner.

Just provide us with your consent and the e-mail address we can use to transfer your secure and convenient payments. If you don’t receive this email, ensure your contact information is up to date. If you do not sign up for e-Transfer, your strike pay will be by cheque and given to you on the picket line weekly.

Is strike pay taxable?

Strike pay is not considered taxable income by the Canada Revenue Agency.

Will I be affected by Phoenix if we go on strike?

Based on past precedents and expert advice from our union Phoenix experts and your colleagues that work at the Pay Centre, we don't anticipate Phoenix complications. Especially if the strike lasts five days or less.

Based on past experience, members will most likely continue to receive pay from the employer while on strike and have pay deducted only after the strike concludes and leave without pay requests are submitted and processed. These leave requests are no more likely to be affected by Phoenix than any other leave submission throughout the year.

It's important to remember the Pay Centre is staffed by PSAC members who will be well prepared for the influx of leave submissions in the event of strike action. Members will enter any time missed due to job action in their departmental PeopleSoft upon return to the office using the appropriate time code (i.e., 9550 - LWOP-Strike Participation), and these requests may even be given special attention.

Additionally, members will receive strike pay from PSAC if they meet minimum participation requirements during the strike period, which are not processed through the Phoenix system. Some components and locals may also offer strike pay top ups.

What if I can’t afford to go on strike?

Don’t worry. Your union has a lot of support systems in place to make sure you never go without pay while you’re on strike.

During a strike, every member who participates in four hours of strike activity is entitled to strike pay (see the Pay during a strike section above for more information).

Leading up to a potential strike, we encourage members to create a financial plan. This could involve contacting your financial institution to discuss consolidating or renegotiating loans and to request interest relief for loans and mortgages during the period of the strike. This plan could also include building up emergency savings, buying food in bulk ahead of time and exploring other sources of income on a short-term basis.

Hardship Fund

The purpose of the Hardship Fund is to provide assistance of an emergency nature, including but not restricted to urgent matters of food and shelter, to members who are incurring/have incurred financial hardship due to being on strike or honouring a picket line. It is not intended to be a source of supplementary strike pay.

In the event of a strike, if you are experiencing significant financial hardship, please contact your regional office.

What happens to my dental and other group benefit plans during a strike?

Based on current employer policy, employees on strike will continue to receive coverage under the Public Service Group Benefit Plans. However, Treasury Board is entitled to change this approach. The union will negotiate the continuation of benefits during a strike with the employer right before a strike starts.

How will a strike affect my pension?

Periods while a member participates in a strike do not count as pensionable service. Also, the periods participating in a work stoppage strike cannot be “bought back.” However, these periods are not considered as “breaks” in pensionable service for purposes of calculating a member’s “highest five consecutive years of highest paid service.”

The impact on the future pension for a member who participates in a strike is to push back — by the number of days on strike — the date on which he or she completes the required years of service to qualify for a pension. Your strike days will be reported to the pension administration by your compensation office.

There will be no impact on the average salary on which the pension will be calculated for members whose days on strike do not fall within their five consecutive years of highest salary.

Average salary for pension benefit purposes is always based on the member’s best five consecutive years of highest paid salary. Any salary lost due to a strike during the final average salary period is accounted for by extending back in time the average salary period so that five years of paid earnings are used in the calculation. For example, if a member had been on strike for 10 days during the relevant period, the average salary would be based on earnings paid during the best consecutive five years and 10 days of employment. It should be noted that average salary is based on five consecutive years of pensionable service, rather than on five continuous years of service.

When contemplating retirement, members should be encouraged to obtain a copy of their exact record of pensionable service before deciding on their retirement date, to ensure that they have the required service for the pension option on which they are counting.

Strike pay via Interac e-Transfer

I received an email with the subject line “Strike pay: sign up for e-Transfer.” Is this an official email from PSAC?: Yes. This is an official email from PSAC asking you to register for strike pay to be transferred securely through e-Transfer with your personal e-mail address. The email is unique to each member and linked to your individual PSAC ID. It cannot be forwarded to other members.
If I do not provide an e-mail address for an e-Transfer, will I continue to receive strike pay?: Yes, you will still receive strike pay. If we do not have your consent and preferred e-mail address, your strike pay will be processed by cheque and distributed to you on the picket line weekly.
I deleted the email by accident, what should I do?: Contact your PSAC regional office and they can resend it to you.
I did not receive this email, what do I do?: This means we may not have your personal, non-work e-mail address to communicate with you. You can add your personal, non-work email through PSAC’s member portal.

You will not be able to use an email that was forwarded to you by another member because the original email is unique to each member and linked to their individual PSAC ID.
Can my regional office re-send the e-mail directly to me?: Yes. Regional office staff can re-send emails directly. We strongly encourage members to ensure their contact information is up to date in the member portal.

Leave and travel

Can my already approved leave be cancelled once strike action is called?: The employer's own policy states that “generally, employees in the striking bargaining unit who are on leave when the strike begins may be allowed to continue on leave. Employees who are participating in a strike and who have been scheduled to go on leave during the strike will not be permitted to do so.”

With that being said, the employer may still choose to cancel your leave, even if it has already commenced, because no collective agreement is in force during a strike.

Communication from the employer has indicated that “any request for leave by employees in a legal strike situation that would allow them to avoid the consequences of participating in strike action will not be approved.” Additionally, “necessary leaves of absence (such as bereavement leave or parental leave) will normally be approved subject to satisfactory evidence.”
What about sick leave, disability insurance, and other leave with or without pay?: Since there is no collective agreement in force during a strike, the employer does not have a legal obligation to approve any type of leave.

However, the employer’s manual stipulates that members of any bargaining unit on strike who are on disability insurance, or any other paid or non-paid leave, before the beginning of a strike, should be authorized to take their leave, as long as they continue to provide justification for their leave.
If my bargaining unit is on strike and I am presently on maternity and/or parental leave, am I still entitled to this leave? What happens to my top-up?: Your entitlement to maternity or parental leave is established by legislation and therefore continues during the period of a strike.

Your entitlement to the salary top-up is established under the collective agreement and no collective agreement is active during a strike. The employer could, therefore, choose not to pay the top-up. However, the employer’s own policy states that employees on “other leave with or without pay” prior to the start of the strike should be permitted to continue on leave. The union also pursues these top-ups as a standard demand in return-to-work protocols.
Do I need to participate in strike activities during my compressed days off (CDOs) or days of rest?: You are not expected to engage in strike activity on your days of rest or CDOs, as you would not be eligible for strike pay because the employer will be paying you that day. However, you are more than welcome to.
What if I am traveling for the employer when a strike is called?: Stop working and inform your employer of their responsibility to pick up any equipment of theirs (i.e., trucks, ships, etc.), and to cover your expenses to get back home. If they refuse, contact your component to file a grievance.

Acting positions and secondments

What if I'm on an acting assignment in a different bargaining unit?: If you are on an acting assignment in another bargaining unit outside of the CRA, PA, SV, TC, or EB groups, you are not eligible to participate in the strike vote or take strike action.
Should I remain in my acting position or go back to my substantive position during the strike?: Only the employer can terminate an acting position. You will continue in your acting position during the strike, unless otherwise instructed by the employer. If you decide to revert to your substantive position, you may be faced with disciplinary action, especially if the acting position belongs to another bargaining agent.
What if I’m on a secondment during the strike?: If you are on secondment, you remain tied to your home department or agency for the purposes of pay. Therefore, your participation in a strike is also tied to your substantive position. If the bargaining unit of your substantive position is on strike, you are also expected to go on strike.

Terms, casual and seasonal employees, students, and apprentices

What if I am a term employee during a strike?: If you are employed under a term contract of three months or greater duration, or if you have been continuously employed under a series of shorter term contracts for a period of three months or greater, you are an employee in the bargaining unit and are covered by the collective agreement. Therefore, you are expected to honour the picket line, unless you have been designated as an essential worker.
What if I am a casual employee or summer student?: If you are employed as a casual, you are not an employee in the PSAC bargaining unit, so you are required to report to work.

You may want to ask your supervisor for a letter indicating you are a casual, because picketers may not know you or understand that you're still required to work.
Can I strike if I am on apprenticeship or language training?: Yes. Apprentices and members on language training should advise the employer that they are on strike on the days there is a lawful strike, and not participate in training at a facility where PSAC members are on strike. As with other workers, members must engage in strike-related activities for a minimum of four hours per day to be eligible for strike pay.

Essential services

What is an Essential Services Agreement (ESA)?

An ESA is a written agreement between the PSAC and the employer that certain work duties are essential to the safety and security of the public and must continue during a strike. ESAs are required by the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act.

Employees designated as essential are not able to participate fully during a strike because the removal of their essential duties could endanger the safety or security of the public. Some examples include certain functions performed by border services officers, firefighters, and members who process pay for Canadians.

While the employer decides which functions should be deemed essential, the union can make arguments against how many members are required and what exact duties they will perform while working. Ultimately, the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board will rule on these differences.

You will be notified by your employer if your position is deemed essential once we reach a strike position.

Why was I designated essential in the last round of bargaining but not this round?

Previous legislation gave the employer the exclusive right to make the designations. The law was changed in 2017, and now Essential Service Agreements are negotiated between the union and the employer.

What is an essential service?

The Federal Public Service Labour Relations Act defines an essential service as a “service, facility or activity of the Government of Canada that is or will be, at any time, necessary for the safety and security of the public or a segment of the public.” Some examples include certain functions performed by border services officers, firefighters, and members who process pay for Canadians.

How will I know if my position is essential?

Departments and agencies are responsible for notifying members in writing if they are in essential service positions. If you have not received a letter by April 11, it is safe to assume that you have not been designated essential.

What do I do if my supervisor orders me to perform non-essential duties or to handle striking workers’ duties during a strike?

If you are an essential employee and your supervisor orders you to perform non-essential duties, you may respectfully object. If they insist, write down the date, time, manager’s name, and the duties requested/performed, and provide this to your local union representative immediately to file a grievance.

If your supervisor asks you to perform the duties of an employee who is on strike, say NO. If you are ordered, follow the steps above and grieve.

What do the essential service codes mean?

Codes are used to describe and categorize the types of essential services jobs. Factors considered are the work conditions, environmental circumstances, and the probability or even the possibility that human life or public safety would suffer if a work stoppage interrupted the duties of these employees.

Code	Category	Description
1	Full time	Essential services are required on a daily basis. Employees will report to work and perform only those duties which have been identified as essential.
2	Alternate	A position whose incumbent would serve as an alternate to one or more designated full-time (Code 1) positions.
3	Conditional	Essential services are to be performed when specific conditions are met and agreed to by the parties (i.e., essential at certain times of the year or under particular circumstances). These circumstances vary and if you are unsure, please contact your department for clarification.

Code 2 and 3 employees may participate in any and all strike activities unless called in to perform essential services by the employer.

What if I am a Code 2 or 3 and called into work while on the picket line?

The employer will notify you through its regular communication channels with you of how long you are required to work as an alternate or conditional essential employee. Remember to check in and out with a picket line captain anytime you arrive at or leave the picket line. If you have questions about strike pay, contact your PSAC regional rep or picket captain.

How can essential service employees support their colleagues on strike?

Essential service employees must identify themselves with the picket captain and follow their instructions before going to and from work. Essential service employees should attend regular membership meetings where the strike captain will explain how they can support the strike (unless held during working hours).

While you can’t walk off the job or refuse to perform your essential duties, you can support your colleagues in other ways. You can wear buttons or stickers in the workplace (ask your picket captains for a “my heart is on the line” sticker), volunteer for phone banks during off-work hours, and any other mobilization activity that doesn’t impact your work schedule.

Additionally, employees enjoy a protected right to engage in picketing activity during off-work hours. That means during unpaid breaks, if you are confident you won’t face delays in entering the workplace and can return to your essential duties on time as required, and before or after your shift when you are off duty.

Any penalization of employees, monetary or otherwise, as a result of their having exercised their lawful right to picket, will constitute a violation of the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act. PSAC can and will lodge a complaint with the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board regarding this form of interference, or other intimidation or reprisal by managers.

Next steps

Will we have strike preparation courses?

PSAC is committed to ensuring members are informed about and prepared for a possible strike. We’ve launched strike training for all members so that we’re ready for any possible outcome. Contact your nearest PSAC regional office or visit your PSAC regional website for more information about the in-person, introductory strike training. Additionally, you can complete the online strike preparation course any time at your own pace.

Can we take part in mobilization events before we’re in a strike position?

We’re already organizing activities to show the government that we’re serious about getting a fair deal. Activities may start small but grow to bigger, high-visibility actions. Check your union bulletin board or sign up for news from PSAC to find out what’s being organized in your region.

Some examples of workplace action include:

Encouraging members to wear ‘Strike Alert’ stickers and display other mobilization materials in the workplace;
Heavily advertising strike training in and around the office (or digital workspace);
Holding workplace membership meetings to inform and organize;
Organizing large lunchtime rallies just outside the workplace or online.

How can I get involved and support our bargaining teams?

Getting involved and taking action are key as we push for a fair contract. Be prepared, get mobilized, stay engaged, and be ready to take action: Read our Treasury Board bargaining toolkit

Read our Treasury Board bargaining toolkit
Attend PSAC national and regional events
Participate in actions, information sessions, lunch and learns, and workshops
Get in touch with your regional office to get involved
Keep your contact information up to date to receive all the latest bargaining updates.