We uphold the Charter. We deserve nothing less.
This week was our FB Bargaining Team’s first week in negotiations with Treasury Board and CBSA under the new government. At the outset we re-iterated PSAC’s position that the new government must repeal Bill C-4 imposed by the Harper government. C-4 removed our right to strike and imposed unfair arbitration rules. It is unconstitutional legislation and we will ensure that our rights are respected.
Technological change, Firearm practice and “tool-up time” discussed
In bargaining this week we made proposals to protect against the elimination of officer positions due to the introduction of technological change. We explained that ABC machines and the chronic increase in remote reporting is putting public safety at risk, and made proposals accordingly. We also made proposals that would ensure that officers have access to firearm practice on work time, and would ensure that time spent tooling-up and tooling-down is considered work time.
Compressed Work Week, Day Worker Issues
Many workers in the FB bargaining unit are not subject to VSSA’s. These include Trade Compliance, Intelligence, Investigations, Inland Enforcement Officers and others. There have been issues recently with management revoking flexible working arrangements and compressed work weeks. We tabled proposals to better protect these scheduling arrangements against management making unilateral changes.
We will not trade away sick leave
Treasury Board negotiators tabled a proposal similar to that of the previous Conservative government, that would replace our existing sick leave plan. It takes away existing rights and leaves members worse off. The proposed short term disability plan would fall outside of the collective agreement and allow the government to make unilateral changes any time. We remain open to improvements on sick leave but we will not negotiate concessions or agree to any proposal that forces members to choose between losing pay or going to work sick. We are meeting again next month. For more information visit psacunion.ca/fb
