Some employees losing ‘literally everything’ over pay problems: P.A. union
Federal employees are growing increasingly frustrated as they continue to experience difficulties getting paid through the Phoenix pay system.
A few dozen federal employees from the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) rallied outside the Saskatchewan Penitentiary on Wednesday, joined by Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne.
“We’re out here to remind the federal government that the situation is not resolved and we are not happy,” said Shannon Blum, president of PSAC locals 40023, 4A023 and 4B023.
Blum said at least 50 per cent of local members, if not more, still have pay issues.
“Every single one of us wonders every pay period if we’re going to be paid, and if we are, if it’s going to be correct,” she said.
“I think it has a huge effect not only on us, but also on our community. We hold on to every dollar because we don’t know if the paycheque is coming next pay period. We’re not buying houses, we’re not buying cars, our kids aren’t gong to sports events, we’re not taking holidays — I think this impacts every Canadian.”
Dionne echoed Blum’s comments.
“We’re here because these are our citizens. This is who we represent. These are our coaches, our volunteers, and they ’re not spending money in our community because they’re worried about their cheques,” he said. “I’m amazed the government hasn’t sorted it out.”
Some union members have lost “literally everything,” Blum said. “I have heard of people selling land, declaring bankruptcy and cashing in their entire stock of RRSPs.”
The union also invited Prince Albert’s Conservative MP, Randy Hoback.
He was in Ottawa, but said he fully supports the employees dealing with pay issues.
Hoback indicated his office has helped in a few individual instances where people weren’t getting the pay they were entitled to receive.
“They’re frustrated, they’re in tears in a lot of cases, and I really feel for them for sure.”
The Phoenix pay system was developed under former prime minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government, but launched by the Trudeau Liberals.
It has been mired in problems from Day 1, with people not being paid, or being underpaid or overpaid. So far, more than $460 million has been spent trying to fix the system, which was originally intended to save money.
In Tuesday’s budget, the federal government promised an additional $431.4 million over six years starting in the 2017-18 budget year to hire additional staff at the pay centre and at satellite offices, as well as within departments themselves to assist employees with payroll issues as they arise.
The budget also earmarked $5.5 million over two years to the Canada Revenue Agency to process individual tax reassessments due to the pay issues.
The budget also set aside $16 million over two years, beginning in 2018-19, to “work with experts, unions and tech providers on a new way forward for a new pay system.”
It also promises continued action on reimbursing employees who incurred personal expenses. It promised no one will be forced to pay back overpayments until after their tax return has been processed, and any excess withholdings or liabilities against them are calculated.
Despite the measures promised in Wednesday ’s budget, employees said they are skeptical they’ll see any meaningful solutions.
“At least they’re putting some money and resources into it to fix it, but it’s the details that matter here,” Hoback said