Consultations

My response to Karen Hall, a Consultation President at Transport Canada 

Dear Karen,

Thank you for reaching out and for your dedication to member representation through the National Consultation Teams at PIPSC. I appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts on this vital aspect of our union's work.

1. What do you know about Consultation at PIPSC and the work we do?

Consultation within PIPSC serves as a crucial function, bridging the gap between union members and senior management, and ensuring member representation during decision-making processes. This structure allows employees’ concerns to be heard, especially regarding working conditions, pay systems, and remote work flexibility. Recent news highlights that consultation is pivotal in defending public servants' rights, particularly in the ongoing battle over remote work mandates and return-to-office policies. PIPSC has been proactive in addressing these matters, particularly after significant consultations during the pandemic period and as new challenges emerged with government mandates in 2024​

2. Have you been involved in Consultation within your Department/Agency? If so, what was your role?

Although I have not held a formal position in the consultation process, I have actively engaged with colleagues to understand their experiences and gather feedback regarding workplace issues. This involvement has included facilitating discussions in team meetings, collecting insights on concerns that matter to our members, and relaying this information to leadership. One particular example of my involvement is articulating the needs for scientific and professional integrity and protecting our professionals from political and industry interference. Through these informal interactions, I have gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by our members and the importance of effective consultation in addressing these challenges. My goal has always been to advocate for a more inclusive consultation process that truly reflects the diverse voices within our agency (see my Electoral Platform), while protecting the ability of all members to provide high-quality fearless advice based on their highly skilled professional subject matter expertize.

3. What are some challenges encountered in PIPSC consultation?

One key challenge that has surfaced is the communication gap between union representatives and the broader membership. There are concerns that not all members fully understand the consultation process or how their voices are represented, which can lead to disengagement. Additionally, the rapid shift toward hybrid and remote work has added complexity, especially when government policies, such as the mandated three-day return-to-office requirement, conflict with employees' preferences for remote flexibility​. Other issues include the evolving role of AI and automation in workplaces, raising concerns about job displacement and transparency during consultations​

4. What could the union do to better support Consultation?

To better support consultation, PIPSC could enhance member education about the role and benefits of the consultation process. Engaging members through regular, transparent updates on key consultation outcomes would build trust and participation. Additionally, PIPSC could focus on improving the inclusivity of consultation teams, ensuring diverse representation from different departments and roles to capture a broader range of perspectives on emerging issues like hybrid work and technology adoption​

5. What needs to be changed to better support Consultation?

There should be a more structured feedback loop between consultation representatives and the general membership, ensuring that issues raised during consultation are followed up with concrete actions. Furthermore, a more flexible and responsive framework for handling new challenges, such as digital transformation and artificial intelligence, would be crucial. The consultation structure must also adapt to the unique challenges posed by the post-pandemic work environment, which requires balancing in-office presence with the proven benefits of remote work​

6. How do you envision engaging with Consultation representatives to stay updated on ongoing and emerging issues?

Regular town hall meetings, both physical and virtual, could serve as an excellent platform for staying informed. Additionally, creating a system where consultation representatives submit periodic updates or reports could ensure real-time communication on critical issues. Leveraging digital platforms to collect input from members across various sectors would also help foster a more dynamic and inclusive consultation process, ensuring that senior leadership remains fully aware of emerging issues as they arise

Thank you again for your commitment to enhancing consultation at PIPSC. I look forward to collaborating with you and the Working Group on Consultation to advance these important discussions.

Best regards,

Dmitry

Candidate for the Vice-President (part-time) position