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Convention 2023 Day 2

The second day of Convention 2023 saw delegates continue to work on main Convention business. Day 2 was also chock full of presentations by various guests, including:

  • Human Rights Consultant Rachel Décoste, regarding the recent survey on racism and discrimination;
  • PSAC National President Chris Aylward, who addressed Convention delegates on topics such as bargaining and ’25 and out’;
  • PSAC Health & Safety Officer Andrea Peart and PSAC Research Officer Darren Pacione, who informed delegates regarding an upcoming cancer study focusing on CBSA workplaces (keep an eye out for more information in the coming months regarding this new study)

See photos of the second day of Convention below (or the main photo feed here), follow us online with the hashtag #ciusdi2023 to get the latest Convention updates, and come back tomorrow for a recap of the third and final day of Convention!

Convention 2023 Day 1

September 21 was the first day of CIU’s 20th National Convention. Over the course of this first day in Ottawa, Convention attendees rallied in support of 25 and out, celebrated Life Members, heard from invited guests such as PSAC negotiators Morgan Gay and Brenda Shillington, and tackled Convention business, including the reports of the CIU National Executive.

See photos of the first day of Convention below (or the main photo feed here), follow us online with the hashtag #ciusdi2023 to get the latest Convention updates, and tune in for Day 2!

Media advisory: Workers at CBSA and allies rally, call on government to fulfill commitment to equitable retirement

Photo of CIU flag

Ottawa, September 21, 2023 – Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Customs and Immigration Union are rallying to call on Treasury Board and the government to live up to their commitment to provide CBSA law enforcement officers equitable retirement benefits.

  • Date: Thursday September 21, 2023
  • Time: Rally starting at 12:30 p.m.
  • Location: Treasury Board of Canada, 90 Elgin Street, Ottawa

CBSA law enforcement officers work in demanding and physically challenging roles, and face similar physical demands and risks as their counterparts in other law enforcement agencies across the country. However, they do not receive equivalent retirement benefits. Instead, many older employees are forced to accept limited duties and opportunities for advancement as they near retirement, as firearms and use of force certification become more difficult as workers age.

Recognizing this, the government has committed to making legislative amendments to provide “25 and out” early retirement benefits, but this has yet to be done. This would allow officers to retire with dignity after 25 years of service.

“With very few exceptions, almost all law enforcement and public safety workers – both provincially and municipally – receive 25 and out retirement benefits. This includes firefighters, air traffic controllers, RCMP constables, operational employees of the Correctional Service of Canada, and more,” said Mark Weber, CIU National President. “It’s time for this government and Treasury Board to step up to the plate and show that they understand and support workers at CBSA.”

Speakers include:

  • Mark Weber, National President, Customs and Immigration Union
  • Chris Aylward, National President, Public Service Alliance of Canada
  • Brea Baresinkoff, FB group bargaining team member

More than 10,000 PSAC-CIU members working at CBSA are currently in negotiations with the federal government, where equitable retirement benefits, job security, telework, and fair wages that keep up with the cost of living are key issues at the bargaining table.

Information and interviews:
PSAC Media Relations
media@psac-afpc.com
613.714.6610

CIU’s 20th National Convention starts tomorrow

The 2023 CIU National Convention starts tomorrow in Ottawa, ON!

During the Convention, follow us and interact online – our offical hashtag is #ciusdi2023:

About the Convention

The National Convention is held once every three years and provides an opportunity for all CIU members to become involved in the operation and future of their Union. For more information, see the main Convention page.

September 20 protests against 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive school policies

This Wednesday, September 20, far-right, conservative and anti-trans groups are organizing protests against teaching 2SLGBTQIA+ content in schools. These protests are being organized under the hashtag #1MillionMarch4Children.

The protests also support recent legislation passed in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick which demand that teachers advise parents if their children request to be called by a different name or pronoun. While these groups claim to be in support of ‘parental rights’, the protests are actually anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate rallies which aim to eliminate Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) curriculum and policies from Canadian schools

Politicians across Canada and the Conservative party in particular, continue to threaten the human rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ people by failing to support 2SLGBTQIA+ positive legislation. Sadly, these politicians are actively enabling these anti-2SLGBTQIA+ protests to occur in 80 locations across Canada, with large events planned in major cities. PSAC strongly condemns any and all bigotry and violence that threatens the fundamental human rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ people

September 20 will be a challenging and scary day for 2SLGBTQIA+ peoples and their communities. PSAC joins in solidarity with you.

PSAC urges all members and allies to:

These groups will not stop at targeting 2SLGBTQIA+ people. Recent incidents of violence and harassment across Canada make the real impact of this kind of hate starkly clear. Trans bodies and lives are on the line, and it’s up to all of us to take a stand.

An injury to one truly is an injury to all.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

PSAC challenges caps on damages in Canadian Human Rights Act

PSAC logo SCFP
PSAC logo SCFP

PSAC has filed a challenge with the Federal Court of Canada, calling for the removal of caps on human rights damages in the Canadian Human Rights Act, on the basis that these caps violate constitutional equality rights.  

When a federal worker who has experienced discrimination in the workplace is awarded financial compensation for damages under the Canadian Human Rights Act there is a limit on the amount of damages they can receive. Since 1998, this limit has been capped at $20,000 for pain and suffering; and an additional $20,000 may be awarded where it is found that the employer discriminated in a wilful or reckless manner.

While there are limits on damages for discrimination, the amount of compensation a court can order for any other wrongful act on the part of the employer is not subject to the same limits. When a worker experiences discrimination based on sexism, racism, disability, or other human rights grounds, the impacts on their work, their life, and their health can be monumental. A global cap of $40,000 cannot meaningfully compensate a worker for pain and suffering and willful discrimination engaged in by an employer. This is especially the case given that these caps have not been adjusted for inflation since they were introduced 25 years ago.

Limiting damages under the CHRA is an added act of discrimination against individuals who have already experienced harm from discriminatory treatment on the part of their employer.

PSAC has filed a challenge to the limits on damages, on the basis that these limits violate equality rights guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. PSAC has filed its Statement of Claim* and evidentiary record, including expert affidavits. The government has filed its Statement of Defence** and is expected to file its evidentiary record in due course.  A hearing date has not yet been confirmed.

For more information 

Read PSAC’s statement of claim
*Unfortunately, the statement of claim is only available in English at this time. 

Read the government statement of defence 
**Unfortunately, the statement of defence is only available in English at this time. 

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

Show your support at a Labour Day event near you

Each year on Labour Day, we recognize the contributions of workers and reflect on the rights we have fought for over the years, including fair wages, safer working conditions, and the right to organize collectively.

This year, we’re celebrating Labour Day on the heels of one of the largest strikes in Canadian history. Thanks to over 100,000 PSAC members who came together on picket lines to demand better, we secured the strongest collective agreement in the federal public service that raises the bar for our members and all workers in Canada.

In Nunavut, PSAC members at the Iqaluit Housing Authority picketed for 136 days to secure wages that lift workers who are struggling with one of the highest costs of living in the country.

These victories — and many more by PSAC members this year — are a reminder that when workers unite, we can build lasting change.

Labour Day celebrations and marches are being organized across the country. Show your support at an event near you.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

Public Service Health Care Plan: Canada Life transition update

PSAC logo SCFP
PSAC logo SCFP

Earlier this year, PSAC announced that we successfully negotiated key improvements to the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) for federal public service workers, and the new plan came into effect on July 1, 2023.

On the same date, the employer transferred the PSHCP provider contract from Sun Life to Canada Life as part of a separate procurement process, resulting in changes for nearly 1.5 million federal public service workers, retirees, and their dependents. This change was initiated and operationalized by the employer and was not part of PSAC and other unions’ negotiations on a new health care plan.

This transition has caused frustrating challenges for plan members and their dependents. Unfortunately, Canada Life has not been able to keep up with the influx of new members, retirees, and dependents that they now administer, and it is having a significant impact on people who depend on these benefits for their health and drug coverage.

Before the move to Canada Life, PSAC provided the government with recommendations for a smooth transition for plan members, including for Canada Life to hire additional staff and increase its call centre capacity.

Nearly two months later, tens of thousands of federal workers are still experiencing issues with their new health care coverage. Many have been unable to register or log into their accounts and face long claim processing delays. These problems are compounded by members’ inability to reach a Canada Life customer service agent to help them.

Since July, Canada Life has made some improvements, including expanding their call centre hours to seven days a week and hiring additional staff to assist plan members.

As of August 25, Canada Life has reported that 99% of plan members have been successfully enrolled under the new benefits plan. But customer service wait times remain too long, and too many calls remain unanswered. This poorly managed transition prevents our members from fully taking advantage of their benefits.

The Government of Canada made the decision to transition to Canada Life and it is their responsibility to hold Canada Life accountable for the many problems that members are facing.

PSAC has requested a meeting with Treasury Board President Anita Anand to discuss how the delivery of benefits can be improved for plan members as soon as possible.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

Alternative Federal Budget sets roadmap for stronger public services

Read the 2024 Alternative Federal Budget

This year’s AFB focuses on investing in our public health care system, affordable community housing, anti-poverty and food insecurity initiatives, a green transition to combat climate change, stronger labour legislation, and a tax system that ensures the wealthy pay their fair share.

To achieve these goals, AFB 2024 recognizes the federal public service must be well-equipped to meet these ongoing challenges and deliver the services Canadians depend on. These recommendations include:

  • Adequate funding to rectify pay problems caused by the Phoenix pay system to ensure workers are paid accurately and on time every time;
  • A full review of staffing levels based on the needs of Canadians;
  • The creation of an independent consultation body to reduce the government’s reliance on private consultants;
  • A comprehensive review and amendment of the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act that improves the way unions like PSAC negotiate new contracts with the government;
  • Full funding for settlements of class action lawsuits, including the Black Class Action and the Indigenous Class Action, and more efforts to address oppression and discrimination;
  • Stronger whistleblowing legislation to protect workers;
  • Transparency and consultation in the use of AI and other automated decision-making tools;
  • An ongoing commitment to build a more inclusive federal public service.

The public service recommendations of AFB 2024 are reflective of the recommendations that PSAC made to the Finance Committee of the House of Commons (FINA), in preparation for their pre-budget consultation process.

“Public service workers are on the frontlines of program delivery to people in Canada. Our members see every day what works, and what can be improved,” said PSAC National President Chris Aylward. “We’ve made suggestions to FINA, and through them to the Minister of Finance, for a 2024 budget that will build robust programs and services that will put the needs of people first, creating the resiliency to see Canada through these difficult economic, social, and environmental times.”

By addressing these issues, Canada’s public service can remain a robust and flexible institution capable of serving Canadians effectively now and into the future.

Read the 2024 Alternative Federal Budget

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

2023 Branch Elections — Elections kit, documents, and important dates

The 2023 Branch Elections Kit is now available.

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