Treasury Board has finally outlined its preferred model for new occupational groups for the Program and Administrative Services (PA) group. This model suggests three new occupational groups including a separate group for work done by the Welfare Programs (WP) group.
The model was developed as a result of the review of the PA occupational groups. While not perfect, there arepositive elements that can build on previous pay equity gains and finally update classification standards. At the same time, we have some concerns about the implications of this model. We want to hear from members before the model is finalized.
PSAC has been raising the issue of classification reformfor decades. After negotiating classification reform in the 2008 collective agreement, PSAC has been and will continue to be involved in consultations with Treasury Board on this process. Eventually, the union will negotiate the salaries for each of the new classifications and levels.
The Occupational Group Structure (OGS) review is the first of five steps in our effort to get the employer to establish new and modern classification standards.
For PA members, all of the current classifications will disappear, regardless of how the final occupational groups look. PSAC members at the Canada Revenue Agency and at Canada Border Services Agency have already been through a similar review of occupational groups and classifications, and many members have benefited from the process.
While the process will take time, we will do as much as we can to ensure that it moves swiftly while protecting your rights and interests. We will continue to fight to ensure that members will benefit from having their work classified and compensated properly.
Following the OGS review of the PA group, a review of the other Treasury Board occupational groups represented by PSAC will follow. The PSAC has pushed for the Technical Services (TC) group to be next in line.
