ACFO-ACAF is pleased to announce that following an arbitration hearing in November of 2025, we’ve secured numerous improvements to the National Joint Council (NJC) Travel Directive.  

The arbitral award was issued on February 11, 2026, and the improvements to the NJC Travel Directive are outlined below:

Dependant Care Allowance (Declaration-Based) 

The declaration-based dependant care allowance has increased to $50 per day, per household from $35 per day, per household.  

Dependant Care Allowance (Professional Care) 

In cases where dependant care is provided by an individual or organization in the business of providing care and is supported by receipts, the allowance has increased to $100 per day, per dependent from $75 per day, per household.  

Incidental Expense Allowance 

The incidental expense allowance has increased to $25 per day from $17.30 per day. 

Headquarters Area 

Throughout this negotiation, the employer’s main priority was to expand the “Headquarters Area” under the NJC Travel Directive. The “Headquarters Area” is defined as the area surrounding the workplace within a 16 km radius, centered on the workplace. 

The employer was attempting to increase this radius by more than double, from 16 km to 40 km, which would have significantly limited public servants’ eligibility to receive travel‑related allowances.  

The employer was unsuccessful in expanding the “Headquarters Area,” therefore it will remain at a 16 km radius, centered on the workplace.  

Implementation

Changes awarded through arbitration take effect 45 days after the date of the award.

ACFO-ACAF appreciates the solidarity of our fellow NJC bargaining agents in securing these important gains.