Author Archives: Admin Staff

FB Group Calls for Pension Commitment in Bargaining

“Twenty-five and out” plan raised at bargaining table and in Pension Advisory Committee.

Employees in the FB bargaining unit are law enforcement personnel. We are subject to the same rigorous employment standards as other law enforcement workers in Canada and we enforce dozens of laws and international trade agreements. Yet we do not have access to a retirement regime that reflects the work that we do.

Pension commitment

While pension modification is not subject to collective bargaining under the law, we reiterated our demand in bargaining this week to get a written commitment from CBSA and Treasury Board that they will support an early retirement regime consistent with what is in place for other federal law enforcement personnel.

PSAC National President Robyn Benson has placed the need for pension reform for PSAC-represented CBSA employees and National Defence firefighters on the agenda for the Public Service Pension Advisory Committee. CIU National President Jean-Pierre Fortin has also raised the issue directly with Minister Blaney. We will continue to push this initiative at all levels.

Other improvements

This week, we tabled our proposal to enhance legal indemnification rights for FB workers, ensuring that union members would be legally protected in the event that members of the public take legal action against an employee for performing their duties. Given our recent experiences, we told CBSA that we do not trust CBSA management and better protections are required.

We also discussed:

  • our proposal for new protections for officers getting “H”ed on designated paid holidays
  • our proposal to improve access to telework for non-uniformed officers
  • CBSA’s roll out of a new system for uniform allotment
  • issues related to inland enforcement

Progress made on Mental Health front

The PSAC successfully reached a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) this session with Treasury Board concerning a joint task force do address mental health in the workplace. For more information on the MOU, visit: http://psacunion.ca/psac-achieves-agreement-treasury-board-mental.

We are meeting again in May. For more information and to see our proposals and those of  the employer, visit psacunion.ca/fb

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PSAC young workers craft vision for the future

Eight young workers from across the country participated in PSAC’s first National Young Worker Committee meeting in Ottawa on January 10 and 11, 2015. They spent time creating a three-year plan of action – focusing on ways to make young workers a more prominent and vocal part of the Alliance.

Sister Lauren Baert, CIU National Youth Representative (third from the right), was one of the participants: “It’s amazing to see how much we can all flourish as leaders when we sit down and collaborate. To say that our meeting was encouraging and empowering doesn’t even do it justice. We are the future of this union and we must band together.”

For more information: http://psacunion.ca/psac-young-workers-craft-vision-future-0

CIU National President Jean-Pierre Fortin offers support to MPPAC President Rae Banwarie

On February 6, 2015, CIU National President Jean-Pierre Fortin met with Rae Banwarie, President of the Mounted Police Professional Association of Canada (MPPAC). Brother Fortin congratulated Brother Banwarie on the recent Supreme Court decision which gives RCMP members the fundamental right to unionize and collectively bargain with the government.

The CIU is pleased to offer its support to the MPPAC in this regard and both organizations look forward to working collaboratively on labour issues of mutual interest.

CIU National President meets with Vancouver Branch members

On February 6, 2015, the CIU Vancouver Branch held its Annual General Meeting. National President Jean-Pierre Fortin was pleased to join over eighty members for the event, including the newly elected Branch representatives. All eagerly demonstrated support for CIU and PSAC in their efforts to negotiate provisions that will result in a healthier workplace. Brother Fortin answered members’ questions regarding accommodation and provided them with an update as to what had been accomplished to date and what lies ahead. Members also honoured recently retired former Branch President Sue Neumann for her years of activism and dedication.