January 31, 2007

AS Roundtable Follow-up

As a follow-up to the Report of the AS Roundtable, PSAC requested a meeting with senior representatives from PSHRMAC to discuss the issues of the Compensation and Benefits Advisor community.

That meeting finally took place on January 23, 2007.  PSHRMAC representatives provided an overview of their compensation community development initiative and the status of their recruitment and training programs. It is clear that PSHRMAC is very aware of the problems facing the community. Many of the same issues raised at the AS Roundtable have been raised in their own regional and departmental consulation processes.

Both the National President John Gordon and National Executive Vice-President Patty Ducharme who particpated in the meeting with PSHRMAC expressed general support for the initiatives that the employer  has been taking to address the issues of recruitment, retention, and training. However, they also strongly expressed the need for urgent action, and pointed out that the PSHRMAC plan is missing any immediate action on the problems of classification, and is also lacking in sufficient consultation with the union and representatives of the Compensation and Benefits Advisor community.

As a follow-up, PSHRMAC and PSAC agreed to work together on a second meeting which would include union representation as well as some members who were involved in the Roundtable. More details on this will be posted once available.

In the meantime, many AS Compensation and Benefits Advisors continue to write to PSAC expressing their frustration that the classification issue has not been resolved.  While PSAC has and will continue to aggressively push this issue with PSHRMAC, it is also important that these members ensure that the President of Treasury Board, Vic Toews is aware of the issue and hears directly from them. 

Compensation and Benefits Advisors are encouraged to contact Vic Toews by email at:  president@tbs-sct.gc.ca or by mail:

Vic Toews
President of the Treasury Board
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
L'Esplanade Laurier, 9th Floor, East Tower
140 O'Connor Street,
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1A 0R5

Correspondance should be copied to Patty Ducharme, PSAC National Executive Vice-President at: ducharp@psac.com or c/o PSAC, 233 Gilmour Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 0P1