During this round of bargaining, the AV Group took the leadership on an insidious issue, Domestic Violence. While a broader national issue, Domestic Violence carries impacts, or the potential to impact PIPSC members. With the targeted assault on the Public Service sick leave program, PIPSC wants to ensure that sick leave modifications properly consider those needs associated with or arising from Domestic Violence.

The upshot of the considerable discussion on this topic is that Treasury Board agreed to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Institute. PIPSC is currently striking an 8-member committee to develop the MOA on Domestic Violence, 3 of whom will come from the AV Group.

The AV Group executive is extending an invitation to the general membership, to determine if there is interest in joining the Group president, Ray Paquette, in representing the Group on this committee. If you would like to participate and feel you have something to contribute, please respond with a brief bio, including your interests relating to the subject and your union involvement. Members may apply for 1 of the 2 positions available.

Meetings are scheduled to begin in August, 2017 and the process is expected to take upwards of 18 months. Meetings are 2-tiered, i.e. internal to PIPSC as well as external with the Treasury Board Secretariat.

Please respond to rj_paquette@pipsc.ca

Deadline 1600 EDT, July 14, 2017