Author Archives: Pierre St-Jacques

COVID-19: Health and Safety update

This is an update on COVID-19 related health and safety matters that Union representatives and Workplace Health and Safety committees are currently addressing.

Use of N95s

The Policy Health and Safety Committee is expecting guidance from Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada surrounding N95 re-use, cleaning and storage. Currently, each workplace is doing the best they can without any expert guidance, a situation that we hope to see rectified imminently.

‘Sani Clean’ lockers

The Southern Ontario Region has obtained sanitation equipment that you may want to have your Workplace Health and Safety Committees/Representatives explore. Here is a link to the type purchased there.

Scheduling

We are having significant success applying the following four health and safety principles to modified schedules across the country. Remember that Part 122.2 of the Canada Labour Code mandates the hierarchy of preventative measures. Proper scheduling allows for the reduction of exposure to this hazard.

Have the least number of people possible on shift.
Where possible, have days off work be scheduled consecutively to allow for greater self isolation.
Try to limit overlapping shifts, so that members come in contact with the least number of coworkers possible.
Where possible, have members consistently work with the same coworkers. This will help should any member test positive, and will assist the Public Health Agency in identifying close contact.

Mental Health

While EAP and mental health professionals are who members should turn to for help, CIU can play a positive role in addressing the loneliness and sense of disconnection that our members’ self isolation has created. Many Branches have already organized events and activities, and we encourage different locations to share ideas with one another on how to help members stay active, healthy and engaged.

Cases

As of April 20, we had 22 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 13 of whom have fully recovered. As we settle into the new ‘normal’ that this pandemic has created, unforeseeable challenges will continue to come up. Please reach out to your Branch President should you have any question or concern.

Statement on the Nova Scotia shootings

Over the past weekend, the people of Nova Scotia were faced with a painful and tragic event — one of the deadliest of its kind in our collective history. Our thoughts go out to all those affected by the shootings that took place on April 18-19, 2020 across the province.

Many people lost their lives as a result of this cruel act, including Constable Heidi Stevenson, who died in the line of duty. We offer our most sincere condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased, and join the larger law enforcement community in expressing our solidarity with our Sisters and Brothers of the National Police Federation.

Read the letter sent on CIU’s behalf by National President Jean-Pierre Fortin to Brian Sauvé, President of the National Police Federation.

We encourage all who are affected to seek the support they need in this difficult time. Many resources are available online or by phone, including EAP for CIU and PSAC members — please call 1.800.663.1142 (TTY for the hearing or speech impaired: 1.888.384.1152) if you need support.

Phoenix: Recovery of salary overpayments during the COVID-19 pandemic

In our regular communication with the government, we have received the following notice regarding the recovery of salary overpayments during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How will the recovery of salary overpayments be addressed during the Covid-19 pandemic?

In light of the current pandemic situation, the Pay Centre is temporarily suspending the overpayment recovery plans for all new overpayments that, effective March 23, 2020, meet the criteria for repayment under the “Recovery over an extended period as a result of the implementation of Phoenix” flexibilities provision outlined in the Directive on the Terms and Conditions of Employment. This operational measure will allow the Pay Centre to prioritize pay transactions to employees.

The Pay Centre will continue informing employees of any new overpayment. However, overpayments that fall under the flexibilities outlined in the Information Bulletin: Additional Flexibilities with regards to the recovery overpayments, Emergency Salary Advances and priority payments will be suspended until further notice. This covers overpayments, emergency salary advances and priority payments received by employees due to issues arising as a direct result of Phoenix. An employee can still choose to repay their new overpayment in the manner that best meets their situation. Employees will need to advise the Pay Centre accordingly.

The recovery of overpayments will continue for the recovery of amounts owing arising from routine pay transactions, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

overpayments of less than 10% of an employee’s gross bi-weekly pay;
periods of leave without pay of 5 days or less;
overdrawn leave (vacation/sick) upon termination of employment (for reasons other than incapacity/illness and layoff);
cancellation of a leave with income averaging agreement by the employee, where the leave has been taken;
amounts advanced on behalf of employees for union dues;
maternity/parental allowance, where the employee has not fulfilled their obligation as set out in their collective agreement or terms and conditions of employment; and
amounts owed to public service health insurance plans, pension, supplementary death benefit or disability/long-term disability due to periods of leave without pay.

The recovery will also continue for overpayments associated with the termination of employment, end-of-term or casual contracts without further extension or renewal (from first available funds).

Note that the recovery plan will continue for employees who already have repayment plans in place as agreed upon. However, these plans can be modified should employees experience financial hardship; employees in such positions should contact the Client Contact Centre at 1-855-686-4729 or complete a Phoenix feedback form to request a more flexible arrangement.

Departments and agencies which are not serviced by the Pay Centre may also wish to temporarily suspend the collection of new overpayments covered by the flexibilities. They may also make available the option to modify repayment plans where employees may be experiencing hardship consistent with the Directive on the Terms and Conditions of Employment.

The original version of this article was first posted on the PSAC website.

19th CIU National Convention

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the 19^th CIU National Convention scheduled to take place in October 2020 has been postponed to 2021.

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COVID-19: Health and Safety update

We are pleased to see the great work being done across the country by our Union representatives, Health and Safety committees, and most of all our members, who continue to provide critical services for all Canadians.

We have now had 19 CBSA employees test positive to COVID-19, a number far greater than what we expected to see, and one that we must do all we can to stop from growing.

Included here are some points that Branches and your workplace Health and Safety representatives are currently working on. Adhering to the hierarchy of preventative measures established in Part 122.2 of the Canada Labour Code Purpose of Part is the law, and we must ensure that it is being applied.

Guiding principles to keep in mind

Scheduling:

Have the least number of people possible on shift;
Where possible, have days off work be scheduled consecutively to allow for greater self isolation;
Try to limit overlapping shifts, so that members come in contact with the least number of coworkers possible;
Where possible, have members consistently work with the same coworkers. This will help should any member test positive, and will assist the Public Health Agency in identifying close contact.

Other issues:

For telework, ensure that all safety factors are considered when members must attend the workplace to gather files/computer equipment, etc.;
Ensure that members performing non critical work are not being forced to remain in the workplace;
Ensure that vulnerable employees are not forced to attend the workplace;
Ensure that we participate in establishing where and how plexiglass is being installed in the workplace;
Review and ensure that the cleaning guidelines for radios is being followed (especially if radios must be shared);
Review and ensure that the cleaning guidelines for cars is being followed;
Ensure that the donning and doffing guidelines for N95 and surgical masks is being read and followed by members;
Explore having cleaning/disinfecting equipment made available in the workplace.