Author Archives: Pierre St-Jacques

Phoenix: PSAC Launches Here for Canada National TV Ad Campaign

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) is launching a national television ad campaign to highlight the dedication of public service workers throughout the Phoenix pay system disaster, which has now been going on for two and a half years. Despite missed paycheques, fending off debt collectors, and managing endless uncertainty, PSAC members have continued to be here for Canada.

“Most people would quit their job if their employer stopped paying them properly, but federal public service workers keep showing up to work day after day,” said Chris Aylward, PSAC National President.

“They continue to protect our borders, ensure our food is safe, and provide other vital functions like getting out pension cheques, child benefits, and EI. We want to make sure Canadians understand their unwavering commitment to keep providing the services they depend on,” said Chris Aylward, PSAC National President.

PSAC is also launching a second video online as part of the Here for Canada campaign. It features testimonials of the damage caused by Phoenix.

“So many families have suffered major hardships because of Phoenix. It’s important to share their stories and ensure that everyone knows about the toll it has taken on people’s lives,” said Magali Picard, PSAC National Executive Vice-President. “Phoenix is still causing problems for thousands of our members and the government needs to do more to end this nightmare.”

A version of this article was posted on the PSAC website.

FB Group: Retroactive Payments and New Pay Rates

After four years of Bargaining and a new collective agreement ratified, members of the FB group are understandably looking forward to having their pay adjusted and to receiving any retroactive amounts due to them. As you know, the agreement was signed on July 3, 2018 and the employer has 150 calendar days (i.e. to November 30, 2018) to do so.

On Thursday last week, the employer posted a message on Atlas advising that employees can expect to start receiving their pay rate adjustments and retroactive payments as of tomorrow, September 5, 2018. However, the employer also advises that because some retroactive pay adjustments need to be processed manually, “employees may receive payment and/or a rate of pay increase after this date”.

We have been informed that some FB members have called the employer to complain about the time it is taking to process payments. It is important to note that the individuals who are receiving these complaints and who are processing payments are our Sisters and Brothers who belong to the PA Group. For the past two and a half years, they have been under a great deal of stress because of Phoenix and, unfortunately, they must continue working with that flawed system. They are under a lot of pressure and are working hard to meet the deadline.

As indicated in the message posted on Atlas, employees who have not received any retroactive pay or the correct rate of pay increase by October 31, 2018 should contact their regional compensation office.

We thank CIU members in advance for complying with that request so that our Sisters and Brothers who are working overtime and on weekends can dedicate their time and efforts to the work ahead of them. They have a lot to do and they deserve our support!

PSAC-CIU Wins Case Allowing Workers to Support Their Union at Work

PSAC-CIU has successfully challenged a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) decision that prevented Border Service Officers from showing solidarity with their bargaining team.

In the fall of 2017, the officers began wearing orange shoelaces at work to demonstrate support for their bargaining team. Tensions developed when employees started to wear them as hair ties and bracelets, as well as lanyards. CBSA responded by barring the officers from wearing the shoelaces anywhere but on their shoes.

The Federal Public Service Labour Relations and Employment Board (FPSLRB) recently issued a decision affirming union members’ rights to participate in legitimate union activity – including the wearing of orange shoelaces, whether laced up, as hair ties or as bracelets.

The decision concludes that the employer’s ban was an unfair labour practice and a violation of the collective agreement. The Board also found that there was no evidence “that anyone’s health or safety would in fact be at risk with this usage of the shoelaces.”

Employer can’t dictate how union members express solidarity

The FPSLREB stated that “the CBSA cannot dictate how employees may express their solidarity with their bargaining team.” Where an issue arises, the solution is not a blanket prohibition; nor can the employer use unverified health and safety concerns as a reason for denying the workers’ rights.

Our members are trusted to protect Canadians from terrorism, illegal goods and criminal activity. Therefore, the FPSLREB concluded there is no basis for the employer not to trust them to make common sense decisions when it comes to their safety and the wearing of the shoelaces.

The decision includes an order that the employer must “post this decision for 90 days on its intranet as well as at all BSO worksites.”

Read the full decision here.

A version of this article was posted on the PSAC website.

Statement on the Shooting in Fredericton

Two members of the law enforcement community and two civilians tragically lost their lives when they were shot on August 10, 2018, in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Constables Lawrence Robert “Robb” Costello and Sara Mae Helen Burns died in the line of duty while responding to a shooting that also left civilians Donald “Donnie” Robichaud and Bobbie Lee Wright dead.

This sad and grim event reminds us of the selfless nature of the work that fellow peace officers like Robb Costello and Sara Burns perform everyday, notwithstanding the sometimes fatal consequences. Displaying courage in the face of adversity, both officers laid down their lives protecting their fellow Canadians.

Our thoughts are with the people of Fredericton and New Brunswick, along with the larger law enforcement community, as we offer our most sincere condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased.

FB Bargaining: Members of Equity Groups Encouraged to Apply to Upcoming Conference

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) is issuing a call-out for equity group members to attend the Border Services (FB) National Bargaining Conference. PSAC equity activists (Indigenous Peoples, racialized workers, LGBTQ2+ members, and members with disabilities), Regional Women’s Committee (RWC) members, and young worker activists (35 years old or younger) are encouraged to apply:

FB National Bargaining Conference

October 10 – 12, 2018
Marriott Residence Inn, 161 Laurier Street, Ottawa, ON
Component: Customs and Immigration Union (CIU)

Bargaining conferences bring together members to discuss and prioritize the issues that will be negotiated during the upcoming rounds of collective bargaining.

The participation of all groups is critical. We especially encourage equity group members, young workers and RWC members to participate in these upcoming conferences to ensure important equity issues are represented at the bargaining table.

How to apply

To attend the FB National Bargaining Conference:

delegates must be employed by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA),
hold office in CIU, or
demonstrate evidence of union activism.

Please submit your application before August 17, 2018 to be considered for the upcoming conference.

A version of this article was posted on the PSAC website.