PSAC members and allies took action February 28 to mark the second anniversary of the disastrous Phoenix pay system. By all accounts the day was a huge success, here is a wrap up of the activities that took place and links to the media coverage.
At the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on Vancouver Island about 20 members braved the rain and cold. Here are some photos at our Facebook page and a report from the Westerly News: Parks Canada employees protest Phoenix pay system at Tofino-Ucluelet Junction
In Agassiz, about 50 PSAC and PIPSC members working at Agriculture Canada and Corrections Canada rallied on Lougheed Highway. Some photos at Facebook, the Agassiz Harrison Observer posted a video on Facebook, and this article online: Federal workers rally for immediate action on Phoenix pay system.
In Kamloops, members gathered in solidarity to talk about their pay issues over lunch. A report, with video, from CFJC TV: Jenny Anderson has worked for Service Canada in Kamloops for 20 years, but she's never been more stressed at her job than she has over the Phoenix pay system and a report from Kamloops This Week: Phoenix Not Rising.
In Kelowna, about 30 members working at Canada Revenue Agency, Service Canada, and Veterans Affairs rallied downtown and spoke to the media. Fed up federal employees rally in Kelowna from the Kelowna Capital News and Payroll System Still A Mess from the Daily Courier. CBC also covered the rally as part of their BC wide report: Federal employees in B.C. rally against Phoenix pay system
In Summerland, members working at Agriculture Canada gathered over lunch to talk about their pay problems. They produced a video that highlights their issues, here it is at Facebook: Summerland Pay Problems.
In Nanaimo, about 60 members from Service Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, along with members of the District Labour Council gathered to send a message to the government. Some photos at Facebook and a report from the Nanaimo Daily News: 'Our family has been devastated:' Phoenix payroll horror stories told at Nanaimo rally.
In Victoria, over 300 members from worksites around the South Island rallied and marched at the Service Canada office downtown. Some photos at Facebook and great media coverage, including Victoria’s federal employees want faulty payroll system axed in the Times Colonist, a clip on CTV's 6 o'clock news, a clip on CHEK TV, and coverage from CBC as part of their provincial wrap up.
In Vancouver, about 60 members got up early in to morning for a downtown rally. They spoke to over 200 members about their pay issues as they gathered signatures on PSAC's petition to Justin Trudeau. Visit Facebook for some photos from 800 Burrard. At lunchtime, about 100 members from the Canada Revenue Agency and CBSA gathered at a rally on Terminal Avenue. Some photos at Facebook. Global TV sent a camera crew to our rally at lunch and they used a clip as part of the Global national news report.
PSAC members will continue to pressure Prime Minister Trudeau until he delivers:
- An immediate end to forcing workers to repay the gross amount when they’ve been mistakenly overpaid.
- Damages for the many hardships Phoenix has caused these workers, including untold stress, and the time spent dealing with their pay problems.
- A permanent increase of compensation advisors in both the departments and the pay centre to run the system and provide one-on-one support for employees dealing with pay problems.
- A whole-person approach to resolving pay issues for federal public service workers before recovery of overpayments begins. A compensation advisor should reconcile all pay problems for each employee, because thousands of workers are experiencing a number of pay errors.