Author Archives: Pierre St-Jacques

Convention 2023 Day 2

The second day of Convention 2023 saw delegates continue to work on main Convention business. Day 2 was also chock full of presentations by various guests, including:

Human Rights Consultant Rachel Décoste, regarding the recent survey on racism and discrimination;
PSAC National President Chris Aylward, who addressed Convention delegates on topics such as bargaining and ’25 and out’;
PSAC Health & Safety Officer Andrea Peart and PSAC Research Officer Darren Pacione, who informed delegates regarding an upcoming cancer study focusing on CBSA workplaces (keep an eye out for more information in the coming months regarding this new study)

See photos of the second day of Convention below (or the main photo feed here), follow us online with the hashtag #ciusdi2023 to get the latest Convention updates, and come back tomorrow for a recap of the third and final day of Convention!

Convention 2023 Day 1

September 21 was the first day of CIU’s 20^th National Convention. Over the course of this first day in Ottawa, Convention attendees rallied in support of 25 and out, celebrated Life Members, heard from invited guests such as PSAC negotiators Morgan Gay and Brenda Shillington, and tackled Convention business, including the reports of the CIU National Executive.

See photos of the first day of Convention below (or the main photo feed here), follow us online with the hashtag #ciusdi2023 to get the latest Convention updates, and tune in for Day 2!

Media advisory: Workers at CBSA and allies rally, call on government to fulfill commitment to equitable retirement

Ottawa, September 21, 2023 – Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Customs and Immigration Union are rallying to call on Treasury Board and the government to live up to their commitment to provide CBSA law enforcement officers equitable retirement benefits.

Date: Thursday September 21, 2023
Time: Rally starting at 12:30 p.m.
Location: Treasury Board of Canada, 90 Elgin Street, Ottawa

CBSA law enforcement officers work in demanding and physically challenging roles, and face similar physical demands and risks as their counterparts in other law enforcement agencies across the country. However, they do not receive equivalent retirement benefits. Instead, many older employees are forced to accept limited duties and opportunities for advancement as they near retirement, as firearms and use of force certification become more difficult as workers age.

Recognizing this, the government has committed to making legislative amendments to provide “25 and out” early retirement benefits, but this has yet to be done. This would allow officers to retire with dignity after 25 years of service.

“With very few exceptions, almost all law enforcement and public safety workers – both provincially and municipally – receive 25 and out retirement benefits. This includes firefighters, air traffic controllers, RCMP constables, operational employees of the Correctional Service of Canada, and more,” said Mark Weber, CIU National President. “It’s time for this government and Treasury Board to step up to the plate and show that they understand and support workers at CBSA.”

Speakers include:

Mark Weber, National President, Customs and Immigration Union
Chris Aylward, National President, Public Service Alliance of Canada
Brea Baresinkoff, FB group bargaining team member

More than 10,000 PSAC-CIU members working at CBSA are currently in negotiations with the federal government, where equitable retirement benefits, job security, telework, and fair wages that keep up with the cost of living are key issues at the bargaining table.

Information and interviews:
PSAC Media Relations
media@psac-afpc.com
613.714.6610

CIU’s 20th National Convention starts tomorrow

The 2023 CIU National Convention starts tomorrow in Ottawa, ON!

During the Convention, follow us and interact online – our offical hashtag is #ciusdi2023:

www.ciu-sdi.ca
Facebook: @ciu.sdi
Flickr album (updated daily)

About the Convention

The National Convention is held once every three years and provides an opportunity for all CIU members to become involved in the operation and future of their Union. For more information, see the main Convention page.

September 20 protests against 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive school policies

This Wednesday, September 20, far-right, conservative and anti-trans groups are organizing protests against teaching 2SLGBTQIA+ content in schools. These protests are being organized under the hashtag #1MillionMarch4Children.

The protests also support recent legislation passed in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick which demand that teachers advise parents if their children request to be called by a different name or pronoun. While these groups claim to be in support of ‘parental rights’, the protests are actually anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate rallies which aim to eliminate Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) curriculum and policies from Canadian schools

Politicians across Canada and the Conservative party in particular, continue to threaten the human rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ people by failing to support 2SLGBTQIA+ positive legislation. Sadly, these politicians are actively enabling these anti-2SLGBTQIA+ protests to occur in 80 locations across Canada, with large events planned in major cities. PSAC strongly condemns any and all bigotry and violence that threatens the fundamental human rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ people

September 20 will be a challenging and scary day for 2SLGBTQIA+ peoples and their communities. PSAC joins in solidarity with you.

PSAC urges all members and allies to:

Join union members, leaders, and allies at one of the many grassroots counter-protests being organized in communities where protests are scheduled to be held. Check with your Federation of Labour or nearest Canadian Labour Congress District Labour Council for more information.
If you wish to be involved in efforts to counter any potential changes in government policy in Ontario, add your organization to Momentum Canada’s list of allies and participate.
Join the rally against anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate in Ottawa.
Refer to the Pride Defence Guide for safety tips and ideas.
Amplify and support local, provincial and national allies who are leading the pushback against this growing hate movement, including  Egale, Momentum Canada, and the Canadian Anti-Hate Network.
Encourage your Member of Parliament and provincial, territorial, and municipal political leaders to condemn these protests.

These groups will not stop at targeting 2SLGBTQIA+ people. Recent incidents of violence and harassment across Canada make the real impact of this kind of hate starkly clear. Trans bodies and lives are on the line, and it’s up to all of us to take a stand.

An injury to one truly is an injury to all.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.