PIPSC stewards are the first line of contact for members when facing Workforce Adjustment (WFA) situations. Resources are available below to help you learn more about WFA and ways to support members.
Flowchart and FAQs
For information about how to navigate different WFA situations, review or download the WFA Flowchart and consult the FAQ pages on our website, which include information on:
- Indeterminate employees
- Selection of Employees for Retention or Lay-Off (SERLO)
- Alternation options for indeterminate employees, and more
If members have questions specific to their department, please reach out to their National Consultation team for details. Members can also ask their employer for any relevant dates regarding WFA in their department.
Watch past webinars
Recordings of past WFA webinars can be found on the web pages below or on our YouTube channel. Webinar recordings:
Stay up to date on upcoming WFA webinars and register for a future session to learn more and have your questions answered by PIPSC experts.
Take the online course
As stewards, you will play a crucial role in communicating about the WFA process, helping affected members understand their rights and options, and ensuring important collective agreement protections are followed.
PIPSC is offering an online course to equip Stewards in core TBS groups with the tools and resources needed to help members navigate WFA situations. The entire course will take about 1 to 2 hours to complete, and can be completed at your own pace.
If you have a Canvas account, you can access the course by logging in here. If you do not have a Canvas account:
- Step 1: Create an account with Canvas here
- Step 2: Fill out the form and include the course code: YBEA8T
- Step 3: Start the course! You can log in anytime here
Learn about Alternation
PIPSC has created an alternation platform to assist members who are labelled as opting or surplus as a result of a WFA situation and who wish to remain employed in the public service. Non-affected members who are ready to leave the public service may also want to create a profile to enable an employee to alternate with them.
Note that this platform requires members to seek their own alternation matches. We recommend that anyone interested in alternation also use the alternation platforms provided by the Employer. Learn more about alternation on our FAQs page.
Talk to an expert
PIPSC has created a WFA Task Force to ensure a coordinated response to the public service-wide cuts, including providing additional support to stewards and members.
If you have questions about WFA that cannot be answered through the available resources, you can call the PIPSC reception line at 1-800-267-0446. Reception will redirect you to a specific WFA voicemail where calls are returned within 24 to 48 hours if no one is immediately available to answer your questions.
Mental health resources
This is a difficult time for all federal workers across the public service, and it’s okay to not be okay. Supporting members through WFA situations can be challenging, but there are resources available on the PIPSC website to help stewards and members.
We know that, alongside members, Stewards may also be affected by WFA situations. Most PIPSC members with federal, provincial or private employers have access to an Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP). Your EFAP provides counselling, referral services and sometimes other specialized supports. All services are confidential and free.
For information on EFAPs for members of the Core Public Administration and other Federal Agencies, search by department. For information on EFAPs for PIPSC members at other employers, please contact your human resources department.