Federal union declares impasse in contract talks with federal government

A Government of Canada building is seen in this undated photo. (Getty Images)

A federal union representing over 100,000 federal public servants has declared an impasse in contract talks with the federal government, accusing the Treasury Board of Canada of refusing to “bargain in good faith.”

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) says its Program and Administrative Service (PA) Group bargaining team declared an impasse after talks on Jan. 21 and 22, saying the government refused to “discuss most of our key proposals.”

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“After last week’s announcement of changes to work conditions while we are in bargaining, our PA team has made the decision to declare impasse as the employer refuses to bargain in good faith,” PSAC said in a statement.

“Declaring an impasse triggers the next step in the collective bargaining process. In this case, it means that PSAC has requested a conciliation process from the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board.”

According to PSAC’s website, the union is seeking a raise of 4.75 per cent a year for three years as part of the contract.

PSAC’s move to declare an impasse in contract talks comes a week after the federal government announced a new return-to-office mandate for federal public servants. As of May 4, executives will be required to work onsite five days per week. All other federal employees in the core public service will need to be in the office a minimum of four days per week, as of July 6.

The union says the PA bargaining team “pre-emptively reminded” Treasury Board officials during contract talks that “remote work is a priority for members, and that no changes are to be made to current terms and conditions of employment while we are in negotiation.”

“The government’s announcement exposes an increasingly alarming bargaining position — one where the employer flatly refuses to engage on foundational issues such as job security, remote work, service levels, discrimination, harassment and abuse of authority, technological change, and the expanding use of artificial intelligence and surveillance,” PSAC said.

The union filed an unfair labour practice complaint with the federal labour board over the new federal return-to-office mandate.

The federal government has also issued notices to thousands of public servants over the past two months, warning their jobs may be affected by workforce adjustments. More than 24,000 public servants have received notices their jobs may be affected.

The Canada Strong Budget 2025, released in November, outlined the federal government’s plan to reduce the size of the federal public service by 28,000 positions by 2029, with 16,000 full-time equivalent positions eliminated through the comprehensive expenditure review, while 12,000 positions, including 350 executive positions, will be eliminated mainly through attrition and early retirement packages.

PSAC says its Program and Administrative Services Group represents over 100,000 federal government workers responsible for program administration, information services, communications, secretarial services, office equipment, administrative services, welfare programs, clerical functions and data processing.

More than 120,000 members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada went on strike between April 19 and May 3, 2023, to back demands for a new contract.

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