Ottawa, June 17, 2023 – Members of the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) belonging to the Translation (TR) bargaining unit, have voted in favour of ratifying the tentative agreement that was reached with the Treasury Board Secretariat in May.
The tentative agreement was ratified with 95.4% of the vote in favour. Around 820 CAPE members belong to the TR bargaining unit and stand to benefit from the new agreement.
“We want to thank all the members of the TR group who cast their vote over the past two weeks and to our bargaining team who secured hard-fought gains in this agreement,” said CAPE President Camille Awada. “However, securing all the necessary protections for our interpreters’ health and safety in the workplace was not achieved, and CAPE will continue exploring all other options available for the employer to fulfill its obligations.”
The new agreement covers the period of April 19, 2022 to April 18, 2026 and includes wage increases of 12.5% (13.14% compounded) over four years, a $2,500 one-time pensionable lump sum, increased shift premiums, contracting out language, and entitlement to four weeks' vacation one year earlier.
A letter of agreement on telework also calls for the creation of departmental panels, which will be made up of management and CAPE representatives, to examine grievances relating to teleworking.
While CAPE had tried to secure remote interpretation standards to protect the health and safety of federal interpreters, it was not able to come to an agreement with the Translation Bureau during the negotiation. CAPE is committed to exploring other avenues to ensure the employer meets its obligations.
Next steps
The agreement will be submitted to Cabinet for ratification at the end of June. CAPE will then meet with Treasury Board to sign the new collective agreement.
All non-monetary terms of the collective agreement will come into effect immediately after signing the agreement. Treasury Board has 180 days from the date of signing to increase the pay based on the new rates. Retroactive pay will cover the entire time passed since the expiry of the last agreement.
Media Contact
Katia Theriault
Director of Communications and Public Affairs
Email: ktheriault@acep-cape.ca
Tel: 613-236-9181 ext. 225
