For your information, we were unable to publish a new update, scheduled for May 28, 2026, as we were awaiting additional information from ESDC. We apologize for the delay.

UPDATE ON THE AGREEMENT REACHED

As indicated in the last two updates published on our website, on March 30 and April 28, 2026, an agreement was signed between ESDC and the CEIU concerning the policy grievance, filed on March 29, 2019, for which the hearing had been held in person in Ottawa on September 12, 2024, before the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS).

INFORMATION APPLICABLE BY EMPLOYEE GROUP FOLLOWING ESDC’S DECISIONS OF FEBRUARY 22, 2019

• The current incumbents (since February 13, 2018 or after that date) of operations related to pensions and integrity who are concerned by the new job description of the position of Program Services Officer (PM-01). Those who had not filed a grievance in 2008 or after. Although the employees in question have received their salary adjustments since that time, some of them have received only a portion of their retroactive payments.

In July and October 2019, CEIU recommended filing a grievance in cases where management informed incumbents that it did not consider all of their qualifying periods eligible for retroactive appointment and/or interim pay. CEIU had received more than 100 grievances at that time. If incumbents did not file a grievance in 2019, they should refer to the 2^nd group (below).

ESDC and the CEIU HAVE AGREED:

Resolution of 2019 Grievances: The parties acknowledge that approximately 110 employees who filed grievances in 2019 and 2020 were found eligible for retroactive salary adjustments for the period during which they held PSDC positions while performing PM-01-level duties. The Employer agrees to process these payments following the signing of individual settlement agreements.

→ CEIU has identified four National Union Representatives (NURs) who will handle these cases on a regional basis (Atlantic – Quebec – Ontario and West). The NURs will soon receive the relevant documents for each of these cases from ESDC. Subsequently, the NURs will contact each affected member individually to process their case.

CEIU aims to make initial contact with affected members by the end of August 2026.

• The employees who did not file a grievance concerning the contents of the job description of their PSDC position between 2008 and September 13, 2018, who performed the tasks of a Program Services Officer (PM-01) for operations related to pensions or integrity and who left their position before September 13, 2018.

ESDC AND CEIU HAVE AGREED:

Retroactive Period: The Employer agrees to adjust the effective start date for the purpose of retroactive salary calculation for eligible employees to March 26, 2011 (this represents a retroactive period of 7.5 years versus September 13, 2018).

Former Incumbents (Non-Complainants): The Employer agrees to extend eligibility for retroactive salary adjustments to former incumbents who held PSDC positions between March 26, 2011, and September 13, 2018, subject to job validation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where a validated former incumbent can demonstrate continuous occupancy of a PSDC position that began prior to March 26, 2011, and continued beyond that date, the retroactive salary will be calculated as of the later of January 1, 2009, or the applicant’s actual start date in the position. This provision applies only to former incumbents whose continuous occupancy of a PSDC position beyond March 26, 2011, is confirmed through the validation process. We are talking about approximately 2000 potential former incumbents who will be considered in this exercise.

→ ESDC is finalizing the draft message intended for potentially eligible former incumbents, which will be used as part of the first communication campaign scheduled under the March 30, 2026, agreement. This message will be sent to individuals who, according to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) internal records, held a position as a Program and Services Benefits Clerk (PSBC, CR-04) between March 26, 2011, and September 13, 2018.

→ This message will include:

• A summary of the March 30, 2026, settlement,
• Who the settlement applies to,
• Eligibility criteria,
• Relevant details for filing a claim, and
• Next steps.

→ ESDC expects to be able to send this message by the end of July 2026 to more than 2,000 people.

Finally, regarding the time limit: “In accordance with the agreement reached, claims must be submitted within one (1) year of the agreement’s signing date (March 30, 2026). Any claim received after March 30, 2027 will be deemed ineligible,” we will publish further information for individuals who have not received the message from ESDC, to ensure they can submit their claim.

The CEIU will publish a new update no later than July 24, 2026.