Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) was founded in 1920. With its 57,000 members, the Institute is the largest union in Canada representing scientists and professionals employed at the federal and some provincial and territorial levels of government.

The facts on public service sick leave

Jul 082013

Workplaces

Averages can be deceiving.

from the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada

Treasury Board President Tony Clement has expressed concern about the cost to taxpayers of what he claims is an exceedingly high absentee rate (compared to the private sector) due to illness and disability among federal government workers. But beyond citing lax case management by the federal government and the need to better accommodate newer employees who do not have a sufficient number of unused sick days to carry them through a serious illness or disability, he did not address the underlying causes for this absenteeism. Nor did he adequately explain the reasons for wishing to replace the current system of banked sick days with a short-term disability plan.

Not your regular professional review

Jun 202013

Canadian politics

Tony Clement's 'mandatory review' plan really 'downsizing by another name.'

by Gary Corbett, President, Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada

The announcement last month by Treasury board president Tony Clement that the government would be introducing mandatory performance reviews has raised suspicions that there is an ulterior motive behind them.

Supreme Court upholds $30 billion pension scoop

Jan 212013

Workplaces

Ten years of litigation result in disappointing decision.

from the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada

The December 19, 2012 Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) decision marks the end of over ten years of litigation regarding the federal government’s appropriation of an estimated $30.2 billion surplus from the superannuation accounts of public service, RCMP and Canadian Forces employees in 1999.

AECL technicians and technologists to strike

Oct 092012

Workplaces

from the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada

WINNIPEG, October 5, 2012 – Technicians and Technologists at the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) Whiteshell Laboratories voted overwhelmingly to reject the company’s final offer and strike as they pursue a first collective agreement. These employees recently formed the Whiteshell Technical Employees Group (WTEG) and joined the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC).

Until June 2011, the AECL Whiteshell Technicians and Technologists were not unionized. As a result, they were regularly bypassed for the salary increases and benefits received by their unionized counterparts. Their bargaining objective is to achieve salary and benefits comparable to their colleagues.

On September 13, 2012, without notice AECL tabled a “take-it-or-leave it” offer. If accepted, Whiteshell Technicians and Technologists would continue to have lower salaries, inferior severance and pension protection and significantly lesser maternity and parental benefits.

PIPSC President Gary Corbett said, “It’s unconscionable that the same class of employees working for the same employer would receive significantly different pay and benefits. Pensions and severance should be protected for all, not just some. Until AECL stops treating them as second class employees, there’s going to be push back”.

“After a year of extremely frustrating negotiations, it’s become clear AECL intends to keep pressuring us until we give in. We won’t. We intend to achieve equality with our peers. If the employer continues to flaunt this double standard, we’re ready to do what we have to in order to protect our members’ rights”, said Syd Jones, President of WTEG.

AECL Technicians and Technologists at the Whiteshell Laboratories monitor and maintain safe operation of all nuclear facilities, monitor emissions of potentially radioactive substances to the environment and ensure the protection of the public and the environment.

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada represents some 60,000 professionals and scientists across Canada including 800 professional engineers, scientists, technicians and technologists at AECL’s Whiteshell and Chalk River Laboratories.

Safety eh.ca

Mar 272012

Take action!

Public service professionals unite to defend public safety

from the Professional Institute of the the Public Service of Canada

OTTAWA, March 22, 2012 — On the eve of the upcoming federal budget, a coalition of six unions representing Canada's federal public service professionals has launched a major social media-based campaign to stop the government from undermining programs and services that keep Canadians safe.

The member unions of the "Professionals Serving Canadians" coalition represent more than 75,000 scientists, engineers, pilots, medical professionals, economists, lawyers, IT specialists, auditors and financial officers, as well as many other professionals working at federal departments and agencies.