The Treasury Board has announced that a claims office will open this week to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses public servants have incurred due to problems with the Phoenix pay system.
"I'm glad that our advocacy has resulted in real action," said PIPSC President Debi Daviau. "Some of our members have had to go into debt just to make ends meet. Hard working public service professionals should not be paying the price for the failure of the new pay system.”
Daviau first wrote to the Hon. Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board, earlier this summer asking that a system of reimbursement be set up to compensate public servants financially hit by the disastrous Phoenix pay system. She reiterated this demand in August when she appeared before the parliamentary committee studying the problems with the pay system.
What we know to date is that the claims office is designed to reimburse people as quickly as possible and departments will have the authority to pay any claims under $500. Larger and more complex claims will go to the Treasury Board to be settled.
Claim forms and Frequently Asked Questions are available on the Treasury Board website, as well other Phoenix-related information. PIPSC will work to file grievances if we are unhappy with the settlements offered. PIPSC will remain vigilant to ensure this claims office meets members’ needs and will use forums such as the new joint union-management committee on Phoenix to raise concerns.
We will keep members posted on further details of the claims office as they become available.
"We will continue to work together to find solutions and get our members the help and protections they deserve," said Daviau.