House of Commons transcribers win higher wage in arbitration

Workers who prepare reports on House of Commons debates and other parliamentary documents won a retroactive higher wage increase through binding arbitration, securing gains that the union says reflect progress on compensation and quality-of-life issues.

The text and processing bargaining unit, represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), went to arbitration after contract negotiations stalled. The Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board issued its decision March 3.

Members won a 1.25-per-cent wage adjustment for inflation in 2023, rather than the 0.5-per-cent increase the House of Commons had proposed. The bargaining unit comprises around 83 members total, including about 49 full-time employees and 34 seasonal staff who work between 700 and 1,820 hours per year. About 34 are editors or senior editors; 39 are transcribers who convert spoken debate into written documents and perform initial edits.

Other gains included small penalties for delayed retroactive pay, new language around technological change, and one paid leave day for seasonal employees for training and skill development throughout their employment.

The board declined PSAC's bid to add Family Day as an additional statutory holiday or a second personal day, citing case law that doesn't support expanding holidays and leave. The board also rejected the employer's proposal to eliminate the overtime meal allowance for employees working from home.

Board member Christopher Rootham encouraged both parties to negotiate comprehensively around telework's impact on working conditions rather than asking the board to resolve issues piecemeal. The question of telework was put on pause—in abeyance—until the arbitral award expires June 26, likely rolling into the next round of collective bargaining.