Author Archives: Pierre St-Jacques

Thank you – A message from the National President

Sisters and Brothers,

These are difficult times around the world. While everyone continues to do their part, I want to take a moment to thank CIU members for stepping up to the plate and facing challenges brought on by COVID. Many of you are at the front line on a daily basis and are doing your part to keep Canadians safe. I can assure you that this has not gone unnoticed. Travellers, the general public and I’m sure your own family members are proud of the work you are doing – as am I. I spoke with the Minister this morning and he is also impressed your good work.

I know that I can continue to count on all of you. Please know that you can also count on me, on the members of the CIU National Executive, on the members of the CIU National Board of Directors, and on the employees of the CIU National Office as we continue to ensure every measure is put in place to protect your health and safety.

Let’s continue to take care of one another as we stand united!

Jean-Pierre Fortin
National President
Customs and Immigration Union

Critical services and exceptions to telework

As the government has moved to address the COVID-19 pandemic, the definition of “critical” services has played a significant role in determining which operations must continue uninterrupted, and by extension which ones must continue being conducted from the workplace rather than home.

Communication from government employers and media has used terms like “essential” alongside words like “critical” and it has created some confusion for members looking to understand how their managers are making decisions and how it will impact working conditions. It has also been clear to many that telework directives have not been applied universally or at the same speed across departments and agencies in the public service. It is extremely worrying for many since this will have significant implications on their health & safety, family life, and overall wellbeing.

We can confirm that PSAC President Chris Aylward and the heads of other federal unions have asked Treasury Board to clarify the meaning of the term “critical service” and how managers are to make staffing decisions based on these designations. Treasury Board has agreed to address this in their upcoming directives.

Essential and critical are not the same thing

The term essential services is meant to be used to describe which employees must continue their work in the context of collective bargaining and potential labour disruptions. Whether a worker has been designated as essential in the past has no part in determining whether they must work from home or the workplace during this global pandemic.

What if I disagree with my manager’s decision?

Some members have reported that they have been asked to continue their operations from their workplace but that they feel they could just as easily do the work from home. In other cases they have been asked to go into the workplace to continue work they don’t think is necessary for critical government operations.

In these cases PSAC would urge members who cannot reach a resolution with their manager to speak with their local union or a representative from their component union for support.

If you are asked to physically go into work you and feel that the appropriate precautions aren’t being taken by the employer, you have the right to refuse dangerous work.

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

COVID-19: An update from the National President

Brothers and Sisters,

In the past 48 hours, a lot has happened regarding the COVID-19 situation, with new measures being announced frequently and with little detail on how this would impact our membership. In that time, the CIU national leadership has been working hard to get further clarification from the employer to ensure our members would get adequate guidance and equipment to undertake their duties.

The union is therefore glad to report that the office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness reached out to CIU to discuss measures currently in place. This is an encouraging development, and we welcome this openness to cooperation.

We raised several issues with the Ministry, first of which was our members’ concerns with the government continuing to allow non-essential travellers into Canada from the U.S. at land borders. At the outset, we made our position clear that, in terms of security, the union considers that we are at a stage were the country’s safety would benefit from restricting the entry of non-essential travellers at land borders as well as in airports.

Despite our position, we are sensitive to the circumstances the Minister must contend with. Cross border communities are well established across the two countries, and the Canadian government is trying to work collaboratively with the United States. People work in one country and live in the other. Given the recommendations in both countries that individuals stay at home, self-isolate, and keep at a safe distance from others – in addition to the closure of non-essential services (theatres, libraries, etc.) – the Canadian government expects the flow of non-essential travellers into Canada will dry up on its own. That being said, they are continuing to monitor the flow and, if non-essential travel does not decline, they will consider options.

We generally agree with the Minister that a balance also needs to be struck regarding trade. There could be severe repercussions for Canadians if food products and other items are prevented from crossing the border.

The union also stressed that our officers are the first line of defense of the country, and as such should be considered as First Responders. This status would go a long way in recognizing the integral role they play in the current situation and in general. We also brought up the need for an adequate number of Personal Protective Equipment at all ports.

We have heard from a lot of members that the practice of flagpoling must stop. We agree and said as much.

Lastly, we discussed the challenges posed by the situation at Roxham Road and COVID-19. We are glad to see that, following this morning’s meeting, the Minister announced this afternoon that asylum seekers crossing irregularly would be quarantined.

In closing, this is a highly unprecedented situation, and I continue to be proud of our members who are there to ensure the safety of Canadians everywhere. Take care of yourselves.

We will make sure to keep you informed should there be new developments.

In solidarity,

Jean-Pierre Fortin
National President
Customs and Immigration Union

COVID-19: Statement by the National President on further measures announced

Sisters and Brothers,

While yesterday afternoon’s announcement by the Prime Minister regarding increased measures at the border is a step in the right direction to ensure the safety of Canadians, it is still not entirely clear what the operational ramifications will be for our officers. Our national representatives met with CBSA upper management yesterday in order to better understand the situation as it stands. Following our meeting with CBSA, here is what we know, beyond what has been announced in the media:

The ban announced by the Prime Minister took effect at 00:01;
Personal protection equipment (PPE) should be allowed in all modes, for all front-line personnel. CBSA will look into creating a guide to ensure PPE is used properly;
Medical notes will not be required;
Anyone not ill that has to quarantine themselves because of vacation or work travel will be granted 6990 leave for 14 days, backdated to the date of arrival in Canada, even if they have worked since their return;
Officers and employees who live in the United Stated and who are not ill will be exempted from the 14-day requirement;
Employees who cannot work out arrangements (such as shift change or getting assistance from a spouse or an immediate family member) and need to take care of their children will be granted 6990 leave;
Any operation – non-critical as well as critical – that can be done remotely will be done remotely;
Courses at Rigaud will be delayed after the current cohort has completed its training;
Flagpoling, training, telephone reporting, escorting, operations at land borders, marine operations – all of these have not been addressed by CBSA at this point. We stressed the importance of CBSA providing clear guidelines for all employees, and we’re hopeful that the employer will address this in a timely manner.

We realize that the situation remains uncertain for many of our members across the country. It is not an easy situation to navigate, and we are proud to see our members across the country continue to handle this emergency with aplomb. We will continue to put pressure on the employer to ensure that all our members have the support and the guidance they need.

We cannot emphasize enough the need to use the recommended protective equipment – goggles, N95 masks, gloves – for all front-line personnel, and we are glad to see that the employer agrees with us about the necessity of personal protective equipment in all modes. Our members are the first to interact with travellers on Canadian soil, and play a first-line role in the defence against this virus. In looking out for the safety of their fellow Canadians, it is also important for all involved in the response to this challenge to take the necessary measures to ensure their own.

Moving away from the border, we are also glad to see that Treasury Board is encouraging Federal employees to work from home if they can. We realize this may have little impact on those of our members who are on the front-line, but it is a positive development for our Brothers and Sisters elsewhere in the federal workforce.

As always, we will keep you updated as things progress. The situation is quite fluid at the moment, and remains subject to change.

In solidarity,

Jean-Pierre Fortin
National President
Customs and Immigration Union

Statement of the CIU National President on COVID-19 and measures at the border

Sisters and Brothers, the Customs and Immigration Union is monitoring closely the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

We are conscious that the current state of affairs is concerning to all CIU members, be it for the safety of their family or their own well-being. A large number of CIU members are active on the front lines, where they encounter travellers frequently, and where safety is paramount.

We have called on the government repeatedly to improve current measures to ensure proper screening and mitigate risk to our officers, our members, and Canadians everywhere. While our working relationship with CBSA regarding the current pandemic remains fair, we are disappointed in the lack of overall information and guidance provided by other parts of the federal government. We are working diligently to get clear information from CBSA and other agencies on what this unprecedented situation means for all affected members. In terms of recent developments, we now know that international inbound flights will be restricted to certain airports, although exact locations have not been confirmed yet.

At this time, all members should follow established safety protocols. Front line personnel should wear proper equipment, including masks, gloves, and goggles. Stay home if you are sick. We are steadfast in our discussions with management that any preventative quarantine time should be at the employer’s expense, and we are calling upon CBSA management to allow teleworking for all employees who reasonably can. We encourage you to review your rights at work. Contact your Branch President or your local health and safety representatives for assistance.

On the union side of things, we are also taking measures to ensure the safety of our members, our elected officials, and our employees. PSAC has already announced that strike votes and union events are suspended, and we are following suit. Our own union events, such as the upcoming meeting of the National Board of Directors in early April, have been cancelled for the time being.

Again, it bears repeating that the situation is evolving extremely quickly, and information is subject to change. We will make sure to keep you updated based on the information that is available to us.

Jean-Pierre Fortin
CIU National President