Author Archives: Pierre St-Jacques

Moment of truth: Will Trudeau live up to his commitment to public service workers?

After more than ten months of bargaining defined by delays, insulting offers and frustratingly slow progress towards a fair contract, PSAC’s bargaining teams are giving the government one last chance at the negotiating table. The teams, representing 90,000 workers covered by Treasury Board, will be meeting with government officials between April 30 and May 2 in Ottawa. PSAC made it clear to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over the last few months that his window to restore a respectful relationship with public service workers—as he promised to do back in 2015 —is closing. With the fall federal election looming and the summer parliamentary recess fast approaching, substantial progress must be made at the next bargaining sessions.

Since the beginning of talks last year, PSAC has presented reasonable proposals on behalf of members to improve work-life balance, reduce precarious contract work, close wage gaps with the private sector, and ensure fair economic increases. Unfortunately, the government has been unwilling to take the steps necessary to address these concerns and has insisted on annual wage increases of only 1%, around half the rate of inflation.

Over the last few weeks, PSAC members across the country ramped up pressure on Liberal Members of Parliament to help ensure a fair contract is reached. They organized lobby meetings, rallies and sit-ins, and sent over 4,000 letters warning MPs that time is running out.

PSAC members also reminded Liberal MPs that public service workers are still waiting to be paid correctly more than three years after the flawed Phoenix pay system was launched. And they are still waiting to be compensated for all the hardships they’ve endured. These members should not have to wait any longer for the fair working conditions they deserve.

The coming sessions will cover four bargaining units under Treasury Board: Program & Administrative Services (PA), Technical Services (TC), Operations Services (SV), and Education & Library Science (EB).

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

2010: Family status accommodation

This is the fifth vignette in a series celebrating our union victories.

The 2010 groundbreaking Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ‘Johnstone Decision’ shaped the future of accommodations related to family status.

As a Border Services Officer, Fiona Johnstone required a fixed-shift schedule to arrange for child care. The employer refused to consider her request, arguing that it had no obligation under the Canadian Human Rights Act to accommodate what it deemed to be her personal choices around childcare. PSAC and CIU supported Ms Johnstone at every step throughout the ensuing lengthy legal battle. Ultimately, the Tribunal found CBSA had discriminated against Ms. Johnstone by failing to accommodate her family obligations.

In 2014, in a further blow to the employer’s narrow approach to family status accommodation, the Court of Appeal upheld the decision, confirming that human rights legislation is to be interpreted in a broad manner and that family status includes child care and other legal family obligations.

Photo of an infant holding a parent's hand, with text explaining how the union won a victory known as the Johnstone Decision, regarding family status accommodation

Click for full-size version.

For more union victories, see this page, and follow us on social media using #CIUvictories.

National Day of Mourning

April 28 is the National Day of Mourning. On that day, we will once again remember those who lost their lives due to work-related causes. Since 1995 and in Canada alone, some 20,000 workplace deaths have occurred. Today, the National Day of Mourning is recognized in over 100 countries around the world.

CIU attaches great importance to its members’ health and safety. We must do all we can to prevent needless suffering as a result of hazardous and unhealthy working conditions and continue to promote safe working conditions for our members.

On April 28, we encourage all Customs and Immigration Union members to observe a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m., and to attend local events organized to commemorate the Day.

Get reimbursed for Phoenix-related tax issues

As the tax filing deadline quickly approaches, we know that Phoenix has made tax season extra stressful for many public service workers. PSAC has long-secured measures to help alleviate some of the tax-related financial losses caused by Phoenix pay problems.

Frequently Asked Questions: 2018 Tax Implications of Phoenix payroll issues

Reimbursement for tax advice

Public service workers impacted by Phoenix can reach out to tax experts to help determine if there are errors on their T4s and determine whether there are tax implications for those errors. Members can be reimbursed for this tax advice up to $200 per year (taxes included).

To file a claim, complete this online form.

More information can be found at Claims for expenses and financial losses due to Phoenix: reimbursement for tax advice.

Claim for impacts to income taxes and government benefits

Those who have been impacted by Phoenix may also be facing financial loss due to the incorrect reporting of their salaries. Often this is due to:

overpayments put an individual into a higher tax bracket, causing them to owe more in income taxes, or
the increased income caused an individual to be ineligible, or eligible for less, government benefits and credits such as the Canada child benefit.

To find out if you are eligible to be reimbursed for these types of financial losses, go to Claims for expenses and financial losses due to Phoenix: Claim for impacts to income taxes and government benefits.

Claim out-of-pocket expenses

Anyone who has been financially impacted by Phoenix, tax-related or not, may also be eligible to claim out-of-pocket expenses. Out-of-pocket expenses include things like penalty fees, interest charges, or NSF (non-sufficient funds) charges.

Visit Additional Financial Expenses Incurred Because of Phoenix Pay System Errors to get more information and fill out the claim form.

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

1996: Joint Police & Peace Officers Memorial Service

Our fourth historical vignette highlights an important step in border officers being recognized as part of the law enforcement community.

As a founding member of the Canadian Peace Officers Memorial Association, CIU (then CEUDA) was instrumental in ensuring that border officers be present on Parliament Hill to pay homage to those who paid the ultimate price.

A memorial service had first been held in 1977 to honour police and federal correctional officers. By 1994, thanks to union involvement, a separate ceremony was also held specifically for Peace Officers. Finally, in 1996, for the first time in history, Canadian Police Officers and Peace Officers held a joint memorial service on Parliament Hill to honour those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Today, we can be proud of our Sisters and Brothers who, every year, stand beside their law enforcement colleagues to honour their fallen.

Two border services officers, with text on the creation of the join police and peace officers memorial service

Click for full-size version.

For more union victories, see this page, and follow us on social media using #CIUvictories.