Author Archives: Pierre St-Jacques

Border Services: CIU National President urges federal government to address ‘severe deficit’ in personnel

On Tuesday September 27, 2022, the National President of the Customs and Immigration Union, Mark Weber, addressed the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade for the second time this year as part of the Committee’s study on the potential impacts of the ArriveCAN application on certain Canadian sectors.

Speaking to the Committee, the CIU National President did not mince words: “What the failure of ArriveCAN shows us is that our government must continue to invest in people to best serve people and reconsider its pursuit of a one-size-fits-all technological panacea” Weber explained to Committee members, highlighting the urgent need for more officers.

“What I urge the government and the Agency to do now is to turn their attention to the severe deficit in personnel afflicting border services throughout the country. The reality is bleak: The Agency needs thousands more officers if it wishes to fulfill its mandate” told Weber to the Committee, adding that with current staffing levels, the Agency struggled to adequately curb the smuggling of dangerous goods, despite the sustained efforts of its officers.

A recording of the Committee proceedings can be viewed here.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: An opportunity for healing and reflection

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day of hope and healing for those impacted by the horrors of the residential school system, and who continue to be triggered and retraumatized through the ongoing confirmation of unmarked graves.

Communities across Canada have borne witness to the tragic confirmation of more than 1,100 unmarked graves at the sites of former residential schools since May 2021. That number grows each month as the search for truth continues.

The history of Orange Shirt Day

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, was lobbied for by many Indigenous people, allies and organizations. Most notably, it was anchored around the story of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, who began sharing her Orange Shirt Day story in Williams Lake, B.C. in 2013.

PSAC continues to build trust with First Nations, Inuit and Métis members across the country and works to build more inclusive workplaces that reflect the unique lived experiences of Indigenous peoples. We rely on the knowledge and teachings of our National Indigenous Peoples Circle to learn about and incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing and being into the work we do as a union.

As we look to the past for truth, we must acknowledge that we made mistakes and we may continue to make mistakes. But it is how we move forward together along the path of reconciliation that will heal us all and allow us to move forward for generations to come.

How to mark the day

Indigenous communities call on all Canadians to better understand the harmful history and legacy of the residential school system and the inter-generational impacts it has had on Indigenous people. As allies, it’s time for us to listen and take action.

Read the 150 Acts of Reconciliation for Canada’s 150, originally published on ActiveHistory.ca. Throughout the year, complete as many activities as you can and share on social media.
Register for PSAC’s workshop on trauma-informed engagement with Indigenous members on September 24.
Read about the progress made on Calls to Action 71–76: Missing Children and Burial Information.
Talk to others about what is currently happening and meet with your Member of Parliament to continue to pressure the government to act on these calls to action.
Register with your child or grandchild to participate together in Truth and Reconciliation Week 2022, a national program open to all schools across Canada. This year, the theme is “Remembering the Children.”
Participate in Orange Shirt Day events and volunteer to help by joining a PSAC human rights committee or Indigenous circle in your region.

Donate to the Residential School Survivors Society, the Orange Shirt Day Society, or another organization working to improve the lives of Indigenous families and communities.

PSAC has also compiled additional resources to use on September 30 and after to learn, reflect, and consider how you can take meaningful action on reconciliation.

The star quilt graphic was designed by Georgina Metzler, an Anishinaabe artist and graphic designer who lives in Calgary, Alberta. Learn more about the artist and the meaning behind the work.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

Common issues: Facing record inflation, government’s latest wage offer still sets workers back

After two weeks of mediation at the Common Issues table, the federal government put forward a revised wage offer on the last day of talks that would still see more than 120,000 federal public service workers take what amounts to a significant pay cut in the face of record high inflation.

Mediation took place September 12-14 and 20-23 between PSAC’s Common Issues bargaining team and Treasury Board.

The revised offer of 1.5%, 3.0%, 2.0%, and 1.75% — averaging 2.06% per year over a four-year agreement — still falls well short of inflation and shows the government still has no real mandate to negotiate a reasonable contract with our members. The original offer of 1.5%, 2%, 1.75%, and 1.5% — averaging 1.7% per year — led PSAC to declare impasse in May.

As the cost of living continues to soar, PSAC members expect Treasury Board to come to the table with a fair contract that will protect workers’ buying power and prevent them from falling further behind. But this latest wage offer is just disrespectful and proves Treasury Board isn’t taking this seriously.

Treasury Board also dug in their heels and refused to meaningfully budge on any of the other key issues that matter most to members, including contracting out and better job security, equity in the workplace, and more work-life balance.

PSAC will now bring those issues to the forefront at Public Interest Commission hearings, to be scheduled this fall by the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board.

Meanwhile, dates have been set for mediation for the PA, SV, TC and EB groups.

PA: October 4-7
SV: October 11-14
TC: October 18-21
EB: October 25-27

If an agreement with the government following the Public Interest Commission process can’t be reached, PSAC members should be prepared to escalate their actions, up to and including taking strike action if necessary to reach a fair contract.

Stay informed and engaged

Getting involved and taking action are key as we push for a fair contract. Be prepared, get mobilized, stay engaged, and be ready to take action:

Read our Treasury Board bargaining toolkit
Check out our FAQ on Treasury Board bargaining
Attend PSAC national and regional events
Participate in actions, information sessions, lunch and learns, and workshops
Get in touch with your regional office to get involved

Keep your contact information up to date to receive all the latest bargaining updates.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

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.