WFA Status Update
The first affected notices as a result of the Government’s workforce adjustments (WFA) were delivered in March 2012. Over the past several months, ACFO has monitored the situation and provided resources and advice to the membership.Below is an update of the impact of WFA on the FI Community.
As of August 22nd, 2012, reported WFA statistics for the Public Service are:
–10,500 affected notices
– 2,900 declared opting
– 1,000 guarantees of a reasonable job offer (GRJO)
This number is lower than what has been reported by collective bargaining agents. Cumulative reports from Public Service unions indicate over 18,000 employees have been impacted by WFA.
WFA and the FI Community
As far as ACFO members are concerned, 350 FIs are currently affected.This equates to 8% of ACFO’s membership; significantly lower than other bargaining units whose affected rates range as high as 25%.
The following chart indicates how FIs have been affected, broken down by Region and level, and includes percent of total for comparison.
|
AFFECTED FI POPULATION BY REGION AND LEVEL |
|||||||||||||||
|
|
B.C. |
PRA |
ONT |
NCR |
QUE |
ATL |
TOTAL |
||||||||
|
# |
% |
# |
% |
# |
% |
# |
% |
# |
% |
# |
% |
# |
% |
||
|
FI01 |
21 |
24% |
24 |
16% |
14 |
12% |
74 |
11% |
13 |
13% |
17 |
20% p> |
163 |
13% |
|
|
FI02 |
9 |
12% |
14 |
15% |
8 |
8% |
41 |
tyle=”margin-top: 12.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; text-align: center; line-height: normal;”>4% |
|||||||
6
6%
15
15%
93
7%
FI03
5
16%
5
10%
13
33%
42
4%
3
10%
7
18%
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6%
FI04
3
60%
4
33%
0
0%
12
3%
0
0%
0
0%
19
5%
TOTAL
38
19%
47
16%
35
14%
169
6%
22
10%
39
16%
350
8%
To date, 254 WFA processes have been completed.Of those, 217 retained employment within the Public Service.So far, affected FIs have an 85% retention rate.
Of the 15% of completed WFA processes that resulted in the employee leaving the Public Service, the vast majority of those cases involved FIs who volunteered.The Association recognizes the strain WFA puts on the livelihoods of the individuals who have been impacted.ACFO has offered its full support to help affected FIs navigate the process and maximize opportunities to transition to a new position.The Association provided numerous resources including a wealth of information online, conference calls, and information sessions for affected members.
Part of ACFO’s response also includes consultations with the Employer at the national and Departmental levels, and engaging in political and media advocacy reiterating the need to maintain financial capacity within the federal public service.
Positive Signs
Overall, the FI Community is faring relatively well.Levels of affected members are dropping, and the Association does not anticipate a further wave of cuts to the FI group.Several positive indicators suggest FIs will continue to maintain high work retention rates.More than 80 new FI positions have been posted to the PSC jobs site in 2012, including 25 since the beginning of August.Over 30 of these positions are located in the Regions.Central agency and Departmental HR planning documentation also indicate a steady increase in demand for FI positions in the near future. The number of FIs on priority lists is small; consequently there are opportunities for priority FIs as positions become available.
Challenges
Regional FIs have been impacted at a far higher rate than in the NCR. Assisting FIs in remote locations in the Regions is the most challenging WFA situation.Opportunities for these members are limited, and many will require relocation. ACFO is working with Departments to encourage alternations and advocating to maintain a regional presence.
Alternations have not been occurring as frequently as anticipated. Only 8 alternations have occurred among FIs, and only 148 total alternations across the entire public service. Low alternation participation can be partially explained by management’s reluctance to accept interdepartmental alternations. The Association is supporting individuals to persuade management to accept alternations, and is holding non-compliant Departments accountable by escalating these issues as necessary.
Of primary importance to the Association is recognition that this is a difficult time for FIs.Members are being impacted by WFA in many ways apart from those who have been directly declared affected, surplus, or receiving a GRJO. The FIs who remain are facing increased stress and anxiety, changing duties and work locations, and increasing workloads and responsibilities. The Association is committed to providing support all members impacted by WFA.
For more information in this matter, or for any support relating to the workforce adjustment process, please contact ACFO Director of Labour Relations Scott Chamberlain at schamberlain@acfo-acaf.com or call the national office at 1-877-728-0695, or local (613) 728-0695.
