rcea.ca

In the last round of bargaining, the employer, in exchange for a longer period to implement the terms of the new collective agreements, agreed to pay all employees a $400 non-pensionable bonus. This money was paid on Dec. 11, 2019.  We have heard from a number of members who have expressed surprise at the actual net amount that they received. In some cases, union dues and parking were deducted in error.  But these errors do not account for the small amounts that some members are actually getting. The RCEA is looking into this. 

In the meantime, it would be very helpful if we could get a better idea of what members actually received.  Please send us an email at office@rcea.ca with the dollar amount that you actually received.  This data will be collated anonymously with no reference to name, group or email address.

News release

November 29, 2019 – Ottawa, Ontario – Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

The Government remains determined to address the impacts that the implementation of the Phoenix pay system has had on public servants.

Today, as part of its implementation of the agreement on damages caused by Phoenix, the Government launched a process by which former employees can request the general compensation for damages, which is a payment equivalent to the leave credited to current employees. This is part of the joint agreement co-developed with federal public service unions in June, 2019 to compensate more than 140,000 current and former employees. …

NRC Maternity/Parental – Implementation deadline 180 + days

A calculation discrepancy was discovered for all Maternity and Parental top ups (small amount missing). This resulted in an underpayment for the retroactive amounts on the maternity/parental top ups. The adjustment of the remainder of the payment will be issued in the fall 2020 with the reconciliation phase of all Collective Agreement payments.

For the above mentioned reason you have been identified as someone whose collective agreement or terms and conditions of employment implementation will not be completed within 180 days of signature.  You are therefore entitled to a $50 non-pensionable amount for every subsequent complete period of ninety (90) days the implementation remains incomplete, to a maximum of $450.  This amount will be calculated and paid as one lump sum once the specific terms and conditions of employment applicable to you have been fully implemented.

Please note that this amount is in addition to the $400 you have already received in recognition of extended implementation timeframes.

If you have any additional questions, please contact Compensation Services, who will be pleased to assist you.

The National Joint Council (NJC) celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2019. This auspicious occasion provided an opportunity to recognize employer and bargaining agent members who have made an effort to improve the workplace across the federal public service.

Congratulations to Joan Van Den Bergh for receiving an NJC Recognition Award for her many years of service to the NJC.

Health Canada’s Public Service Occupational Health Program (PSOHP) circulated a general Occupational Health Advisory regarding novel coronavirus last week.  This general advisory provides information on novel coronavirus and recommends general precautions for employees such as: frequent hand hygiene, proper cough and sneeze etiquette, and self-monitoring for symptoms.  This general advisory has not changed and is attached.

Given the wide variety of federal work settings, PSOHP is developing supplemental advice for a few specific workplace situations. See Annex A (pages 4 – 5) for recommendations specifically for federal employees at airports who are interacting with travelers.

PSOHP will update this occupational health advice as required with any new information about the virus.

Other specific Annexes are expected to follow.

Please contact PSOHP if you have any questions or concerns.