Author Archives: Pierre St-Jacques

Treasury Board strike, day 2: Picket lines filled with solidarity and enthusiasm

Halifax, Gatineau, Ottawa, St. Stephen, Niagara Falls, Dartmouth, Sherbrooke, St. John’s, Fort Frances, Sault Ste Marie… striking PSAC and CIU members were out in force all over the country on this second day of general strike for PA, EB, TC and SV units. Rather inclement weather in some places did not deter members from exercising their right to strike and call on the employer to negotiate fairly at the bargaining table, and photos of enthusiastic picket lines have continued to come in from communities all over.

The CIU National Board of Directors also joined striking workers on the picket lines at 90 Elgin street and on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa, to support, energize, listen to and stand with PSAC members from all horizons. Speaking to the crowd on Parliament Hill, CIU National President Mark Weber was unequivocal: Members all deserve much better, and the employer should be wary of not affording its most vulnerable workers the respect they’re owed.

See photos below.

Treasury Board strike, day 1: Members picket across the country, CIU NBoD joins in solidarity

On this first day of strike for PA, EB, TC and SV units at Treasury Board, members were active on picket lines across the country, showing the employer that they are ready to take action and continue fighting until the government comes back to the table with as fair offer. Photos have poured in from cities from coast to coast — Halifax, Sarnia, Edmundston, Calgary, Gatineau, Ottawa, St. Catharines… the list goes on!

Meeting in Ottawa this week, the CIU National Board of Directors, including CIU National President Mark Weber, also joined striking members on the picket line today, along with PSAC National President Chris Aylward and PSAC NEVP Sharon DeSousa, standing in solidarity with all TB workers, and clearly signaling to Treasury Board that an affront to one is an affront to all. By refusing to bargain fairly at the table, the employer hurts us all.

See photos below.

[Updated] TB strike: CIU representatives cease all communication with the employer

Effective immediately, in light of the ongoing Treasury Board strike, CIU and all of its representatives, including National Office staff, are to stop interacting with the employer regarding all union-related matters, for all units, except for:

Filing grievances
Consulting on grievances (as some timelines are contractual)
Attending meetings related to a disciplinary, administrative or investigative hearing regarding a member;
Reporting imminent health and safety hazards, and
Attending workplace health and safety committee meetings

Normal communications will resume once the strike is over.

What happens at 12:01 a.m. on April 19, and additional information regarding the strike, picket lines, and essential services

If a deal isn’t reached by 9 p.m. Eastern Time on April 18 — today — PA, EB, SV and TC members, along with CRA employees, will go on strike beginning at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time. As per PSAC, non-essential shift workers who are at work at that time should walk off the job and prepare to join a picket line when available.

For shift workers in other time zones, that also means walking off the moment a strike is declared. For example, non-essential workers in British Columbia who are at work at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time would walk off at 9 p.m . on April 18.

Essential services agreements will also be coming into force at that time.

What work do I have to do during a strike?

If you’re in a non-essential position (PA, EB, TC, SV), you do not perform any work during a strike. Instead, report to the nearest picket line.

If you’re in an essential position (PA, EB, TC, SV), you should only perform essential duties. Ask your manager for a list of essential duties. If they do not provide one, for every task you are ordered to perform, ask your manager (in writing) if this task is essential. If they say yes (or tell you that all tasks are essential), ask (in writing) why this task is essential for the safety and security of the public (you can use the following wording: As a worker deemed essential, I must only perform essential duties. Please provide me with the reason why the requested duty is essential to the safety and security of the public). Always loop in your Branch President.

If you are a code 2 or 3 and management is asking you to come in, please ensure:

Code 2: That you are only replacing the Code 1 person you have been identified to replace (ask your Branch President for more information)
Code 3: That you ask the employer what specific conditions have been met for you to be called in (make sure to inform your Branch President if the employer fails to provide you with a suitable explanation)

See the PSAC strike FAQ for more information on essential services codes.

If you’re part of the FB group, you are not on strike. You may however be asked to perform duties that are not usually assigned to you. If you are ordered to perform duties outside of your usual duties, you should ask management to show you where these duties are in your job description. If they are not in your job description, and fall outside of your regular duties, ask for the order in writing, inform a union representative, obey the order now, and grieve later.

Finding and joining a picket line: When to show up, and a note about barcodes

The PSAC picket line finder is now live. Some things to keep in mind, in addition to already available information:

If you cannot register electronically and haven’t received a barcode for strike pay, but have a PSAC membership card, bring your card with you when you attend a picket line. The barcode on the back of the card is the same that would have been sent to you by email.
Unless otherwise indicated, picket lines will usually be active for the day. You do not need to arrive at the picket line at the time the picket line starts, but you do need to stay 4 hours to qualify for strike pay. For example, if you register for a picket line that starts at 8 a.m. and end at 4 p.m., you can arrive at 10 a.m., but should stay until 2 p.m. to qualify for strike pay. And don’t forget to check in and check out!
New employees who have not started paying union dues can still report to a picket line, where they’ll be able to sign a card. They may be asked to verify which Branch they belong to, either by calling a Branch representative, or by providing suitable documentation (such as a hiring letter).

As always, make sure to keep an eye on the PSAC Treasury Board Strike FAQ.

Attending a picket line and receiving strike pay: What to do if you cannot register electronically

In some cases, usually due to being recent hires or having changed department in the last few months, members may be unable to complete parts or all of the PSAC electronic registration process, including updating their contact information. While this is frustrating, in no way does it prevent striking members from participating in picket lines and receiving strike pay. Here’s what to do:

When attending a picket line, bring a copy of your pay stub (and, if you have filled an electronic membership card or eRand card, any confirmation or screenshot showing you have completed the form). You will be manually added to the strike system and sent a bar code to be able to receive strike pay.
Make sure a picket captain is aware of your presence and have them note your attendance. Keep a record of the picket captain’s name, and of the time you arrived (and departed) the picket line.
If you cannot register electronically and haven’t received a barcode for strike pay, but have a PSAC membership card, bring your card with you when you attend a picket line. The barcode on the back of the card is the same that would have been sent to you by email.
New employees who have not started paying union dues can still report to a picket line, where they’ll be able to sign a card. They may be asked to verify which Branch they belong to, either by calling a Branch representative, or by providing suitable documentation (such as a hiring letter).
Loop in your Branch President, who’ll be able to assist you.

See the PSAC TB strike FAQ for more information on strike pay and picket line attendance.