Latest news with #SharonDeSousa
Globe and Mail
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Government, union representing public servants to restart contract talks
Two years ago, more than 120,000 federal public servants went on strike after negotiations broke down. Now, the union representing those workers is going back to the bargaining table with the government with the goal of securing greater job security and remote work options for its members. The Public Service Alliance of Canada says next week's initial meetings offer its first opportunity to present priorities identified by members, such as better wages, greater job security and stronger provisions for remote work. Those issues were all front and centre during the 2023 strike, which saw public servants spend almost two weeks on picket lines across the country. Sharon DeSousa, national president of PSAC, said contract discussions can take anywhere from weeks to years. She said the union's bargaining teams are 'ready to set the tone' and get a good contract, adding that striking is always the 'last resort.' The union said the initial talks are the government's first chance to show it's ready to make meaningful improvements to public servants' working conditions. 'We're about improving the working conditions and we're hoping that the government is interested as well,' DeSousa said. 'These are the same workers who protect our coasts, assist businesses and farmers, and deliver vital social programs and respond to emergencies like wildfires. 'We're hoping that we're able to sit down and deal with the main issues at hand.' Rola Salem, a spokesperson for the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, said in an email that the government looks forward to a 'productive round of collective bargaining' with the Public Service Alliance of Canada. 'We are committed to negotiating in good faith and to reaching agreements that are fair to employees and reasonable for Canadians,' she said. David McLaughlin, a former provincial official in Manitoba and president and CEO of the Institute on Governance, said the union's requests seem to be a 'continuation' of the last round of bargaining. 'I would not expect that the current government would have a radically different view of how to treat those issues,' McLaughlin said. 'I'd be very surprised if they reverse their position on remote work. They're trying to hold the line, as they did last time.' McLaughlin said he expects the government will put some more money toward wages. He added that job security likely will be the biggest issue at the table for both the union and the government, which has committed to 'capping' the size of the public service.
Toronto Sun
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Federal union restarting contract talks for more than 120,000 public servants
Published Jun 12, 2025 • 2 minute read Public Service Alliance of Canada. Photo by JULIE OLIVER / POSTMEDIA NETWORK OTTAWA — Two years ago, more than 120,000 federal public servants went on strike after negotiations broke down. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Now, the union representing those workers is going back to the bargaining table with the government with the goal of securing greater job security and remote work options for its members. The Public Service Alliance of Canada says next week's initial meetings offer its first opportunity to present priorities identified by members, such as better wages, greater job security and stronger provisions for remote work. Those issues were all front and centre during the 2023 strike, which saw public servants spend almost two weeks on picket lines across the country. Sharon DeSousa, national president of PSAC, said contract discussions can take anywhere from weeks to years. She said the union's bargaining teams are 'ready to set the tone' and get a good contract, adding that striking is always the 'last resort.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The union said the initial talks are the government's first chance to show it's ready to make meaningful improvements to public servants' working conditions. 'We're about improving the working conditions and we're hoping that the government is interested as well,' DeSousa said. 'These are the same workers who protect our coasts, assist businesses and farmers, and deliver vital social programs and respond to emergencies like wildfires. 'We're hoping that we're able to sit down and deal with the main issues at hand.' Rola Salem, a spokesperson for the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, said in an email that the government looks forward to a 'productive round of collective bargaining' with the Public Service Alliance of Canada. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We are committed to negotiating in good faith and to reaching agreements that are fair to employees and reasonable for Canadians,' she said. David McLaughlin, a former provincial official in Manitoba and president and CEO of the Institute on Governance, said the union's requests seem to be a 'continuation' of the last round of bargaining. 'I would not expect that the current government would have a radically different view of how to treat those issues,' McLaughlin said. 'I'd be very surprised if they reverse their position on remote work. They're trying to hold the line, as they did last time.' McLaughlin said he expects the government will put some more money toward wages. He added that job security likely will be the biggest issue at the table for both the union and the government, which has committed to 'capping' the size of the public service. Toronto & GTA Toronto Blue Jays Toronto & GTA Canada World
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Around 800 jobs to be cut Service Canada offices nationally
Around 800 passport office jobs are expected to be cut across the country at the end of June due to a forecast of reduced applications from Service Canada. In an email to this newspaper, a spokesperson for Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) said the decision was 'necessary and not taken lightly.' The cuts will impact Service Canada offices nationally, the spokesperson added. They did not provide details about how many jobs from each service location will be cut, but did say all impacted employees have been notified. 'As a federal department, ESDC has an obligation to ensure sound fiscal management throughout the organization based on forecasted workload volumes. Revenues must be balanced with costs, including costs for employee salaries,' the email read. The job cuts come after the Canadian Revenue Agency announced it will cut 280 jobs, most of them in the National Capital Region. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), which represents nearly 240,000 public service workers across the country, said the job cuts will threaten services that people rely on every day. It will mean longer wait times at passport offices as well as weakened services for taxpayers and businesses, the union said. 'Throughout the election, the Liberals promised 'caps, not cuts,' but each week, hundreds of federal workers are receiving notice that their jobs are being eliminated,' said Sharon DeSousa, PSAC national president, in a statement posted online. 'Prime Minister Carney needs to make good on his word and stop slashing the services people depend on – especially without proper analysis or solid evidence to support these decisions.' Our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark our homepage and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. City committee to debate whether to allow alcohol in parks GUILTY: Alain Bellefeuille gets life sentence for killing OPP Sgt. Eric Mueller, injuring two other officers
Ottawa Citizen
25-05-2025
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
Around 800 jobs to be cut Service Canada offices nationally
Article content Around 800 passport office jobs are expected to be cut across the country at the end of June due to a forecast of reduced applications from Service Canada. Article content In an email to this newspaper, a spokesperson for Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) said the decision was 'necessary and not taken lightly.' Article content The cuts will impact Service Canada offices nationally, the spokesperson added. They did not provide details about how many jobs from each service location will be cut, but did say all impacted employees have been notified. Article content Article content 'As a federal department, ESDC has an obligation to ensure sound fiscal management throughout the organization based on forecasted workload volumes. Revenues must be balanced with costs, including costs for employee salaries,' the email read. Article content Article content The job cuts come after the Canadian Revenue Agency announced it will cut 280 jobs, most of them in the National Capital Region. Article content The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), which represents nearly 240,000 public service workers across the country, said the job cuts will threaten services that people rely on every day. Article content It will mean longer wait times at passport offices as well as weakened services for taxpayers and businesses, the union said. Article content 'Throughout the election, the Liberals promised 'caps, not cuts,' but each week, hundreds of federal workers are receiving notice that their jobs are being eliminated,' said Sharon DeSousa, PSAC national president, in a statement posted online. Article content
