Phoenix: Direct Action in Montreal

Montreal, February 28, 2018 – At 6 a.m. this morning, approximately one hundred members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, Quebec Region (PSAC-Quebec), began demonstrating in front of the federal building at 715, Peel Street in Montreal. Their action marks the second anniversary of the Phoenix pay system and is intended to denounce the pay problems the system has generated. The members’ action disrupted the arrival of federal employees at their workplace this morning.

“Regardless of the announcement made yesterday in the budget, the fact remains that the system has been a nightmare for members for the past two years. Patience has its limits,” stated Magali Picard, Regional Executive Vice-President of PSAC-Quebec. 

Last week, PSAC-Quebec conducted an online survey of approximately 2,000 members. The results of this survey show that 75% of respondents have experienced problems with the pay system over the past two years.

“They must either make pay specialists available in the different workplaces, with full access to all pay files, or they need to change the system. If they change the system, they should do so systematically and not improvise,” adds Ms. Picard.

Many PSAC members are experiencing serious financial problems and have been forced to live with considerable stress and anxiety since the new system was introduced two years ago. PSAC will continue to exert pressure so that its members are no longer required to reimburse the gross amount of overpayments and can receive financial compensation for this entire fiasco.

It is important to note that PSAC has been highlighting the flaws in Phoenix since the system was first implemented. PSAC’s priority is to ensure that its members are paid correctly and on time.

PSAC Profile in Quebec

PSAC represents more than 180,000 members in Canada. An FTQ affiliate, PSAC-Quebec has more than 40,000 members in the federal public sector, universities and the private sector.

Information:

Patrick Leblanc, PSAC-Quebec
leblanp@psac-afpc.com | 514-706-5997