Author Archives: Pierre St-Jacques

45th Annual Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Service

On Sunday, September 25, 2022, as part of the 45^th Annual Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Service, representatives of the Customs and Immigration Union were honoured and humbled to be back on Parliament Hill to attend the service and pay respect to the brave officers who lost their lives in the exercise of their duties.

This year’s service honoured the lives of RCMP Constable Alan Poapst, RCMP Constable Heidi Stevenson, Ontario Provincial Police Constable Marc Hovingh, Calgary Police Sergeant Andrew Harnett, RCMP Constable Shelby Patton, and Toronto Police Constable Jeffrey Northrup, along with two historical admissions — Surrey Police Constable George McDonald and RCMP Superintendent Dennis Massey.

To commemorate this important day, the Canadian flag was also lowered at half-mast at the CIU National Office, in Ottawa.

Amongst CIU members attending the Service in Ottawa on Sunday were (from left to right): Alana Baarschers, Leanne Hughes, Lisa Morgan, Andrew Wiersema, Gus Kontogianis, Carl Coupal, Mark West, Rick Savage, Brea Baresinkoff, Derek Brackley, CIU National President Mark Weber, Bonnee Shapter, Marjorie Gavel, Philippe Piette, and Fany Parent (photo: Danielle Dubuc).

CIU funds top-up strike pay for its PA, SV, TC and EB members

At its September 2022 meeting, in Ottawa, the CIU National Board of Directors passed a motion to establish an additional strike fund to better support CIU PA, SV, TC and EB members during this current round of bargaining.

The fund would allow CIU members in good standing who are part of these groups, and who participate in strike activities, to access an additional $50 per strike day, on top of the existing $75/day provided by the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

This is similar to the additional strike pay that the 2021 CIU Triennial Convention had created for FB members for that table’s previous round of bargaining.

This decision by the CIU National Board of Directors comes as PA, SV, TC and EB members await the result of a Public Interest Commission, which could set the stage for possible strike action.

The CIU Board of Directors is hopeful that, should strike actions prove necessary, this display of solidarity across tables will help ensure that the membership is successful, that Treasury Board bargaining groups have the resources they need to win the fight for a fair agreement, and that the employer knows we’re ready to fight as one.

For any questions regarding this top-up strike pay, please contact your Branch President.

Hurricane Fiona: CIU to make a $10,000 donation to the Canadian Red Cross

On September 24, 2022, in light of the severe impact of hurricane Fiona on communities throughout the Atlantic region and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the CIU National Board of Directors voted to make a $10,000 donation to the Canadian Red Cross. Members of the Board hope that this contribution will be of some help to those facing hardships and challenges in the wake of the hurricane.

Statement on hurricane Fiona in the Atlantic region and Quebec

Gathered in Ottawa this week, the Customs and Immigration Union’s National Board of Directors expressed solidarity with their fellow CIU members and the hundreds of thousands who are currently without power or otherwise affected in the wake of hurricane Fiona.

This brutal storm, the most devastating in recent memory for several communities, has forced many residents out of their home to seek shelter elsewhere, leaving the Atlantic region and parts of Quebec reeling with downed power lines, washed out roads, flooding, and damaged buildings.

To those affected, know that you are in our thoughts. We also wish to extend our gratitude and support to the first responders and emergency services currently hard at work across the affected regions. While we cannot stand with you in person, we do so in spirit.

TC group: Update on EG rates of pay following arbitration victory

PSAC won increased rates for Engineering and Scientific Support (EG) members in the Technical Services (TC) group in January 2022 to ensure that they are at parity with EGs at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Since then, Treasury Board has refused to make payments to any EG members in the TC group, arguing they won’t implement the changes until PSAC and the government reach a new collective agreement.

We believed that this was a clear violation of the arbitration ruling, and returned to the arbitrator to force Treasury Board to pay this amount immediately. Closing this pay gap is long overdue, and the government should not deny workers amounts that they are rightly owed.

Unfortunately, the arbitrator did not side with us, and has ordered that the updated rates only be paid when we finalize a deal with Treasury Board for this round of bargaining. Although the initial payment resulting from the new 1.5 per cent step in June 2022 won’t happen until a new collective agreement is signed, this pay parity victory will be fully retroactive for EG members.

This arbitration decision has no impact on what PSAC is seeking at the table in this round of bargaining.

Negotiations hit a breaking point when Treasury Board refused to budge on their insulting wage offer amidst soaring inflation in Canada. PSAC is in mediation for common issues bargaining from September 12 to 14 and 20 to 23, with dates for the TC group coming soon.

Check out our bargaining toolkit to learn more about this round of bargaining, the issues that matter most, and how to get involved.

Please be sure to keep your contact information up to date to receive the latest updates for TC members.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.