Alternation allows an opting employee who was not offered a GRJO to exchange positions with an unaffected employee who wishes to leave the core public administration a. The Alternation must occur within the 120-day opting period or 12-month surplus period under Option A. The date of Alternation must be specified, and employees must exchange positions on that same day. 

Alternation normally occurs between members at the same group and level or occasionally when the two positions are considered equivalent (See the equivalency table). This means the maximum rate of pay for the higher paid position is no more than 6 percent higher than the maximum rate of pay for the lower paid position. 

If an unaffected employee alternates, they can only select Option B or C(i). If alternation is during Surplus A period, the alternate’s TSM will be reduced by 1 week for each completed week between beginning of employee surplus period and date of alternation. 

Please note that only opting and surplus employees who have chosen Option A are eligible to alternate with a non-affected employee. Management approval is required (but not automatic) for an alternation to occur. 

The WFAD states that if an alternation is denied, an employee can request a meeting to discuss the rationale for the decision with the employer, and the bargaining agent representative may be present. If a member feels that the refusal may not be for valid reasons, they are encouraged to submit an intake form with the AJC.  

AJC members can access the alternation list by logging in securely to the AJC's website and downloading the list in PDF format to identify a potential match to pursue alternation.  

Opting and non-affected members interested in alternation should register on all employer platforms, including the new Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat’s Alternation Portal