In a significant development for federal public service employees, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat announced a tentative agreement with the Association of Justice Counsel (AJC) for the law practitioner (LP) group.
The LP group comprises positions primarily involved in applying a comprehensive knowledge of the law and its practice to the performance of legal functions. The government’s agreement with AJC for the LP group is still pending ratification. Still, it is expected to benefit approximately 3,200 members across Canada who play a crucial role in supporting federal services through their extensive legal expertise.
The four-year agreement is set to expire on May 9, 2026. It proposes general economic increases aligned with the current trends in the federal public service. The agreement also introduces several enhancements for employees, including wage harmonization across the LP group, a one-time allowance of $2,500, and the introduction of new leave provisions for traditional Indigenous practices.
The Government of Canada says it has successfully negotiated agreements with 17 bargaining units to date. These agreements cover around 80 percent of employees in the core public administration involved in collective bargaining.
President of the Treasury Board, Anita Anand, commented on the negotiations, stating, "Public servants work hard to deliver services for Canadians, and we are working hard with them at the bargaining table to ensure we reach positive outcomes. Both parties came to the table focused on key priorities, resulting in an agreement that is fair for employees and reasonable for taxpayers. We are moving forward with negotiations for the remaining active bargaining tables and are committed to reaching similar positive outcomes.”
As the Employer, Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) began negotiations with the Association of Justice Counsel (AJC) in December 2023 to finalize a renewed collective agreement for the law practitioner group. The tentative agreement was reached on February 9.
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