Author Archives: Pierre St-Jacques

Letter to CBSA President: CIU representatives to cease interacting with the employer

Photo of CIU flag

In light of the strike mandate secured by the FB members of the Customs and Immigration Union on May 23, 2024, and as per the letter sent to CBSA President Erin O’Gorman on May 27, 2024, CIU representatives at all levels are to cease interacting with the employer regarding union-related matters, for all units, effective immediately.

Exceptions are to be made for attending meetings related to workplace violence and harassment complaints, for reporting imminent health and safety hazards or other situations involving a health and safety concern, and for dealing with other issues of an immediate and urgent nature.

Local representatives with grievance consultations set to take place should contact their Branch President for more information.

Normal communications between the union and the employer will resume once the ongoing bargaining dispute is resolved.

Acting assignments: A message from the CIU National President [updated]

Dear CIU members,

A core principle of the labour movement is that of solidarity in the face of adversity. The adage of ‘united we stand, divided we fall’ is truest at the zenith of bargaining, when union members are called upon to defend their rights against an employer keen to undermine the hard-won victories of past rounds and stifle our ability to build towards something better.

FB mobilization during the last round of bargaining, which culminated in our historic work-to-rule action on August 6, 2021, showed the employer how powerful we are when we act as one. Now, as our employer’s inaction at the bargaining table forces us toward another such moment, it is important we send a clear message to the employer: We did it once and can do it again.

The overwhelming strike mandate secured by FB members underscores that they are prepared to do what it takes for a fair contract. Despite the employer’s renewed efforts to suppress union actions, members continue to proudly support their bargaining team by wearing union swag and displaying messages of solidarity in the workplace. The last weeks have also seen branches across the country organize successful rallies and activities, drawing the public’s attention to our ongoing struggle.

Over the coming weeks, as we continue to ramp up the pressure, we need all members to do their part to ensure our collective success in the fight for a fair agreement.

One such way is for all FB members currently on a voluntary acting assignment in a managerial position to turn in this assignment and return to their substantive position effective June 7, 2024 at 4 p.m. ET, in the event a strike is declared should a deal not be reached.

Members who would choose to remain on a managerial acting assignment as we move closer to a potential strike would signal at best that they are satisfied reaping the rewards others have fought for. At worst, they would signal that they are content standing with management, complicit in the mistreatment of their fellow CIU members.

Let’s not mince words: This employer has shown time and again that it does not respect your rights as employees or as union members. It has bullied, harassed, and lied — and continues to do so — trying to prevent union members from exercising their legal rights. To stand with them is to reject the fundamental principles upon which our union is founded.

To those of you currently on a managerial acting assignment, I urge you to do what’s right should a strike be called, come back to your substantive position within the bargaining unit, and stand with your fellow union members.  Be on the right side of what will undoubtedly be another success for all CIU members.

In solidarity,

Mark Weber
CIU National President

FB bargaining: Parties move to mediation, dates scheduled in June

bargaining-FB-négos

As mobilization at worksites across the country continues, the FB bargaining team will continue to push back against concessions and fight for fair wages and better working conditions. Mediation sessions have been scheduled starting on June 3.

The bargaining team is determined to win a fair agreement that includes fair wages, access to telework for non-uniformed members, stronger job protections, protections from contracting out, and equitable retirement benefits.

Treasury Board and CBSA are feeling the pressure

Everything you do in the workplace – no matter how big or small – to show the employer you support our bargaining team makes a difference as we push for a fair contract.

You have the right to wear union materials on the job

This is confirmed by two Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board decisions. You also have the right to be kept informed and take action during non-work time, before or after shifts and during paid and unpaid breaks and lunch periods.

Wearing baseball caps, nametags, or lanyards shows managers you support our bargaining demands and – after two years without a collective agreement – are prepared to take job action to reach a fair deal. Every action is reported up the chain and pushes CBSA to come to the table with a fair offer.

Public Interest Commission hearings complete

PSAC made a presentation to the Public Interest Commission (PIC) on April 10 and pushed back against employer concessions on April 22. In the coming weeks, the PIC board will provide a non-binding recommendation to reach an agreement.  While federal legislation provides for the PIC to issue its recommendation within 30 days of the hearing, the chair may extend that timeline.

PSAC will be in a legal position to take strike action seven days after receiving the report, if a strike mandate is received from the membership.

PSAC to pursue legal action over telework mandate

Telework is currently a critical issue at the table. Any changes to your terms and conditions of work while in bargaining directly undermines collective bargaining rights. In response to the announcement last week, PSAC has filed an unfair labour practice complaint.

Strike vote ongoing

PSAC and CIU continue to hold a nationwide strike vote for the FB group April 10 to May 15. It’s time to show CBSA that we are prepared to take job action to reach a fair deal.

Be sure to keep your contact information up to date to receive all the latest updates. If you have any questions, please contact your Customs and Immigration Union branch president or visit the CIU and PSAC websites.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

PSAC members furious over three-day in-person mandate, union to pursue legal action

PSAC logo SCFP

Today, with blatant disregard for the wellbeing of its workers, the government announced that come September, federal public service workers will be required to be in-office a minimum of three days per week.

PSAC members are incredibly frustrated and angered by this announcement. In every corner of the country, we have seen how the current in-office requirements aren’t being consistently or equitably managed by most departments.

We hear time and time again from workers obligated to report to offices where instead of conducting in-person work, they spend all day on virtual meetings with colleagues across the country.

In many offices our members are regularly forced to camp out in cafeterias or cram into awkward hallway meetings because of a shortage of available workspaces, and these problems will only continue to pile up.

Despite this, Treasury Board confirmed on a call today with bargaining agents that they are planning to proceed with reducing 50% of existing government office space. Their decision is not just a misstep; it’s a failure by Canada’s largest employer to adapt, innovate, and truly lead in the face of change to the way work is done.

As recently as last week, PSAC and other unions specifically requested an update at the National Joint Council about the allegations that there may be a change to the policy. Treasury Board officials blatantly misled unions, denying any upcoming announcements about telework.

In addition, as part of PSAC’s agreement in the last round of negotiations, Treasury Board was obligated to consult with the union with the purpose of reviewing the outdated Directive on Telework. However, at no point during those discussions was there any indication of an increase to in-office attendance.

This decision has not only broken the trust between PSAC members and their employer, but very concretely, it violates the collective bargaining rights of thousands of workers.

Telework is currently a critical issue at the table for the FB group, currently holding strike votes across the country for more than 9,000 members at Canada Border Services Agency. Any changes to their terms and conditions of work while bargaining directly undermines their collective bargaining rights.

In response, PSAC will be filing an unfair labour practice complaint and examining additional legal options.

PSAC will be updating members and taking further action in the coming days.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

National Day of Mourning — April 28

photo of candle with the words 'national day of mourning'

April 28 is the National Day of Mourning. On that day, we will join over 100 countries in remembering those who have lost their lives due to work-related causes.

Every year, people across the globe die as a result of unsafe working conditions, insufficient health and safety measures and protection equipment, and poorly implemented policies. All too often, these deaths could have been avoided. In Canada, hundreds of workplace fatalities are still recorded.

Despite important improvements to workplace safety standards over the last century — thanks in large part to continued union efforts — much work remains to be done to ensure that all workers are adequately protected against preventable work-related accidents or illness.

At CBSA, new and continued challenges — such as increased reliance on untrained personnel, insufficient staffing, and new workplace risks associated with emerging detention duties — highlight the need for workers to keep pushing for adequate training, policies and protective equipment to mitigate potentially hazardous situations. Stronger provisions around toxic workplace culture and bullying from management are also needed to ensure the mental and physical health and safety of our members.

The Customs and Immigration Union attaches great importance to its members’ health and safety, and we will continue to do everything we can to protect them from harm. Given the dangers that so many workers are still confronting today, let us all observe a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. on the National Day of Mourning.