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FB bargaining conference: Members of equity groups, women, and young workers encouraged to apply

In preparation for the next round of negotiations on behalf of 9,000 PSAC-CIU members at the Canada Border Services Agency, PSAC will host a national bargaining conference for members in the FB group from March 24–26, 2026, in Ottawa. The conference will bring members together to review and discuss bargaining issues and elect their bargaining team.

The participation of all groups in collective bargaining is critical. We encourage young workers (35 years old or younger) and members of equity groups – Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, members with disabilities, and women – to apply to take part in the conference.

Your voice and lived experiences are essential in shaping our bargaining proposals. Your input will help ensure the collective agreement promotes fairness, addresses systemic barriers, and reflects the needs of all members.

Applicants must be a member of the FB bargaining unit, hold union office, and demonstrate evidence of union activism.

Please submit your application by filling out the form on the following page before January 9, 2026, at noon ET to be considered. 

You can also submit bargaining proposals until December 5, 2025.

This article was first published on the PSAC website.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence

November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. It marks the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence campaign that runs from November 25 to December 10 and calls attention to the need for action to put an end to gender-based violence against women and girls.

Gender-based violence and toxicity can find their way at home or in the workplace. Within the Canada Border Services Agency, recent discussions at parliamentary committees have brought to the forefront the very real issue of toxic culture aimed at women. The recent CBC article on the murder of Patricia Foreman in 2022 also serves as a stark reminder of the presence of gender-based violence in our communities.

The Customs and Immigration Union recognizes the need for more to be done to build psychologically and physically safer workplaces, which is why we have been advocating for CBSA to put in place a stronger standalone Intimate Partner Violence Policy to:

  • Provide improved processes in response to cases of intimate violence
  • Educate CBSA personnel on the signs and symptoms of intimate partner violence
  • Ensure that people facing violence have access to the resources they need

 What Canadian unions are doing 

From the Canadian Labour Congress:

From November 25 to December 10, Canada’s unions are taking part in the global call to end gender-based violence. Every worker deserves safety, dignity, and respect on the job:

  • Safer workplaces through the full implementation of ILO C-190, including protections against third-party violence.
  • Stable funding, decent work, and real support for the frontline workers helping to end GBV every day.

 16 Days of Activism in Canada 

We invite all our members to take a look at the federal government’s page on the 16 Days of Activism campaign for ways to get involved and to take action.

Some stats (from Women and Gender Equality Canada):

  • Between 2018 and 2024, police-reported intimate partner violence (IPV) increased by 14%. In 2024, women and girls accounted for 78% of all IPV victims.
  • That same year, 42% of women who were killed died at the hands of a spouse or intimate partner, up from 32% in 2023.
  • Indigenous women and girls continue to face disproportionate harm: 61% have experienced IPV in their lifetime, compared with 44% of non-Indigenous women.

 Internationally 

Be sure to also check out the related United Nations campaign UNiTE. Led by UN Women, this initiative “was created to support the civil society led 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign around the world.”

The 2025 UNiTE theme is No Excuse for Online Abuse: “What can start small, on screens – a message, a comment, or a post – can quickly spiral into a torrent of threats and violence in real life. Private photos are stolen without consent. Lies spread in a matter of seconds. Locations are tracked. AI is weaponized to create deepfakes designed to shame and silence women.”

 Additional resources 

Government of Canada

UN Women

‘The security of our border starts with an adequate human presence’: National President to Committees on Bill C-12

This week, the National President of the Customs and Immigration Union, Mark Weber, addressed the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration as well as the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security as part of the Committees’ studies Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act.

Acknowledging some of the positive aspects of C-12 — such as language in the Customs Act that would see commercial operators need to provide border officers with access to facilities for both import and export inspections — Mark Weber impressed on both committees how the bill reinforced the need for adequate staffing to ensure a well-functioning border along with a secure, fair immigration process.

“While Bill C-12 seeks to speed up the refugee claim process to address ‘lengthy processing times and backlogs’,” said Weber, “it is worth pointing out that without the sustained understaffing our border system has experienced for years, these lengthy processing times and backlogs, and therefore the pressure to seek efficiencies, would likely be far less considerable.”

“Efficiencies,” continued the National President, “as implemented by CBSA management, almost always result in a degradation of the security and integrity of our border processes. We’ve seen it with traveller operations, where people seeking entry into Canada do so through an automated machine, with no real interaction with officers. And, outside of Bill C-12, we’re already seeing it in some circumstances with the refugee claim process itself, where the Agency’s simplified intake process — known as ‘One Touch’ — means claimants spend significantly less time meaningfully interacting with officers, with the result of reduced security for the sake of expediency.”

Interactions between officers and anyone who seeks to enter the country is a key component of border security. These interactions allow officers to recognize patterns that can otherwise be missed, ensuring that any potential problem is detected early on and will not put further stress on the system at a later date.

Experienced officers have the training necessary to navigate complex processes efficiently without compromising security. Yet, too often, CBSA prefers to push out experienced officers — as it is currently in the process of doing with nearly 200 officers who cannot carry a firearm — eroding both its institutional memory and its ability to maintain a direct contact with people transiting through our borders.

“Ensuring the security and integrity of our border and associated processes starts with an adequate human presence” concluded Weber. “Without this, without the human element, no bill can hope to truly solve border issues on the long term.”

Full recording of the proceedings (with interpretation language options):

A silver lining to an otherwise austere affair: The adoption of the 2025 Budget brings ‘25 and out’ within reach

Despite the overall austere nature of the 2025 Federal Budget, its adoption by the House of Commons on November 17 presented members of the Customs and Immigration Union and other federal public safety employees with a silver-lining by bringing the possibility of retiring after 25 years of service without penalty within reach.

Speaking to journalists as part of the PSAC national lobby day to oppose austerity on Tuesday November 18, CIU’s 2nd National Vice-President, Brea Baresinkoff, highlighted the significance of this new step towards ‘25 and out’: “Every day, our members put themselves in harms way to keep our communities safe. We manage high-risk environments, volatile situations, and the growing demands placed on border integrity and public safety.”

For years, CIU and PSAC have worked to make ‘25 and out’ retirement eligibility a reality for our members. The inclusion of these provisions in the 2025 budget brings our members in line with personnel from other law enforcement and public safety agencies across the country. “We thank the government for working with us to make this long awaited right a reality” expressed Baresinkoff.  “This means that CIU members as well as other PSAC frontline workers will finally be able to retire with dignity after 25 years of service without financial penalty.”

We look forward to the enactment of the necessary changes, in line with the adopted budget, and we will be keeping in close communication with the government for further details as to the implementation of these changes.

Beyond ‘25 and out’, and in light of the 2025 Budget, CIU urges the federal government to continue to adequately support all federal public service workers. Our members can rest assured: We will continue to fight for our members’ jobs — and indeed all workers’ rights, including the constitutional right to organize and to strike.

Canada’s unions stand in solidarity for Trans Day of Remembrance

Today and every day, Canada’s unions stand firmly in solidarity with trans and gender-diverse communities as we collectively grieve the senseless and heartbreaking loss of life – across our country and around the world – due to transphobic violence and hate.

“Trans and gender-diverse workers are disproportionately impacted by violence and harassment, both at work and in our communities. Trans Day of Remembrance is a powerful opportunity to channel our grief towards justice by demanding that our federal government take action to end gender-based violence, and make work safer for all,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress.

The CLC’s research reveals that when compared to their colleagues, gender-diverse workers are 82% more likely to experience harassment and violence at work. Additionally, 73% of gender-diverse respondents stated they had experienced sexual harassment and violence in the last two years.

This is why Canada’s unions are calling for the federal government to conduct a national public awareness campaign as part of Canada’s National Action Plan on Gender Based Violence. This must include a comprehensive and tripartite implementation strategy for ILO C190, the international convention asserting the right of all workers to a world of work free of all forms of gender-based violence.

“When trans and gender-diverse communities continue to be disproportionately targeted by gender-based violence at alarmingly high levels, including harassment and violence in the world of work, we cannot afford inaction,” said Larry Rousseau, CLC Executive Vice-President.

Labour’s solidarity in action means we will continue to show up: in our communities, in our workplaces, and in legislatures. We’re re-committing ourselves as trade union activists, allies, and supporters in the fight for justice for trans and gender diverse peoples towards an equitable and inclusive vision for our society.

“From coast to coast to coast, workers are united against hate. With provincial governments—like Danielle Smith’s UCP in Alberta—attacking trans and gender-diverse people any chance they get, we must continue to take action against transphobia,” said Rousseau. “We strongly condemn the UCP government’s use of the notwithstanding clause to force through harmful bills that violate the rights of trans youth and their families. Our solidarity will never waver; when it comes to justice in the fight against transphobic hate, violence and gender-based violence in all its forms, we will win.”

This article was first published on the CLC website.

Budget 2025 hints at pension cut for federal workers

PSAC is concerned the federal government may be preparing to claw back the hard-earned retirement benefits federal public service workers rely on.

Under the “Equitable Public Sector Retirement Benefits” section of the 2025 budget, the government suggests that federal public service workers are “overcontributing” to their federal pension plans and the Canada or Quebec Pension Plans (CPP/QPP). The government aims to correct the issue, promising this will save money both for the government and federal workers.

But this language hints that they plan to reduce pension plan benefits for workers to compensate for recent changes to CPP and QPP. Any proposal that reduces the value of members’ pensions – while framing it as a cost saving for workers – is unacceptable.

The federal government has already betrayed the trust of workers who contribute to the Public Service Pension Plan. Last year, the Liberal government raided $1.9 billion from pension plan, transferring the funds into the government’s own coffers. That decision directly undermined the retirement security of federal public service workers and set a dangerous precedent for treating the pension plan as a government piggy bank.

Combined with massive job cuts and sweeping changes to federal labour legislation included in this budget, the pension change is yet another red flag about how this government intends to treat its workers. PSAC will fight any attempt to undermine workers’ rights — including any move that threatens the financial security of our members in retirement.

Pensions are a core part of our members’ compensation – paid for and earned over a lifetime of service. Any change to pension benefits must be transparent, and should be brought to the unions at the bargaining table – not slipped into the budget as an accounting exercise.

Prime Minister Carney’s government still has an opportunity to show leadership by protecting and strengthening the pensions workers depend on – not weakening them.

PSAC is seeking immediate clarification from the federal government on the intent and impact of the pension language in Budget 2025. We will update members as soon as more information becomes available.

This article was first published on the PSAC website.

PSAC holds national lobby day to oppose austerity and protect public services

Public Service Alliance of Canada members from across Canada are meeting with parliamentarians in Ottawa today to urge them to reject austerity and protect vital public services and the workers who deliver them.

The federal government’s 2025 Budget will make life harder for people in Canada by cutting more than 40,000 federal public service jobs and impacting programs and services millions of people rely on.  Similar austerity measures in provinces and territories across the country are stretching public services to the breaking point.

“These cuts will mean fewer services for Canadians and more pressure on the workers who deliver them,” said Sharon DeSousa, PSAC National President. “Families will see delays in getting their old age security, childcare and veteran benefits, more frustration when reaching out to CRA, cutbacks to public health and food safety, and many other signs of a government stepping back at a time they need public services to step up.”

PSAC members are raising their concerns, proposing real solutions and demanding action on key priorities including public service cuts, labour rights, bargaining, and the Phoenix pay system.

“Public service cuts hurt our families, our communities, and our economy. You can’t build a better Canada without strong public services,” said DeSousa. “We’re ready to work with Prime Minister Carney’s government on real solutions to help everyone in Canada.”

This article was first published on the PSAC website.

Remembrance Day 2025

poppies flowers field landscape countryside

On November 11, we remember and honour the thousands of women and men who have laid down their lives for our country.

Remembrance Day presents us with an opportunity not only to recognize the dedication and sacrifices — past and present — of Canadians of all horizons, but also to reflect on how to build a better, fairer world where such sacrifices may no longer be necessary. To the women and men who have demonstrated courage and commitment in the face of adversity, we thank you.

In honour of all who have served, CIU will be half-masting the National Flag of Canada flying at the CIU National Office, in Ottawa.

CIU echoes PSAC-Quebec, condemns the Quebec government’s anti-union efforts

The Customs and Immigration Union joins PSAC-Quebec and the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ) in condemning the Legault government’s Bill 3 (link in French), which aims to silence workers by weakening the foundations of the modern labour movement.

“It’s absolutely shameful,” said Yanniv Waknine, CIU’s third National Vice-President, responsible for the CIU Quebec region. “After muzzling Quebec doctors with Bill 2, François Legault and his government continue to reach new lows with Bill 3, which recalls last century’s union-busting attempts. By seeking to attack the Rand formula, the Quebec government is only confirming its inability to negotiate in good faith and, at the same time, its lack of integrity.”

CIU invites its members to visit the FTQ website to learn more about the unions’ response to the Legault government, such as the inter-union rally planned for November 29 (in French).

We are also resharing the reactions from PSAC-Quebec and the FTQ, below.

Reaction from PSAC-Quebec: Hands off union dues

“This attack on the labour movement is a smokescreen and serves neither our members nor the population as a whole,” said Sébastien Paquette, Executive Vice-President for PSAC-Quebec. “This is clearly a strategy to avoid talking about the real issues in the year leading up to the next election.”

Unions are duty-bound to negotiate collective agreements and ensure their members are fairly represented with an employer. Nothing prevents them from also taking political action on behalf of their members.

Article 1 of the Labour Code states that a union exists for “the study, safeguarding and development of the economic, social and educational interests of its members”. These goals can only be achieved through member communications and education, public awareness campaigns, political action with elected officials, and legal challenges.

Read more on the PSAC-Quebec website.

Reaction from the FTQ: “François Legault’s legacy: Division and chaos”

(translated from French)

“For months, this government has been looking for scapegoats in an attempt to make people forget its incompetence and failures and boost its poll numbers. Let the government, its ministers, and its members of parliament take note: the FTQ will never allow itself to be silenced,” said FTQ President Magali Picard.

“The people of Quebec, as well as the workers we represent, are not fooled. Bill 3 is a pretext to silence those who criticize François Legault’s government and the CAQ for their disastrous record,” added the president.

Read more on the FTQ website (in French).

Beyond CAQ ideology: the social contract built upon employer deduction of union dues

Before the 1940s, unions collected members’ dues by hand every month and could call a strike at any time.

Following a major strike in Ontario in the 1940s, Justice Ivan Rand ruled that employers would deduct and forward union dues monthly, free of charge. This ruling was called the Rand Formula. Everyone working in a unit would pay dues, regardless of whether they were union members. In exchange, Judge Rand ordered, unions would only be granted the right to strike after their collective agreement expired.

So began the social contract: while union fees were deducted by the employer, unions agreed not to strike while a collective agreement remained in effect.

To this day, the Rand Formula has been the cornerstone of all labour legislation in Canada.

Is the CAQ reneging on their Rand Formula obligations?

Source: https://afpcquebec.com/en/hands-off-union-dues/

Federal Budget: Government plans deep public service cuts and weakens workers’ bargaining rights

Ottawa, November 5, 2025 — The Public Service Alliance of Canada is deeply concerned about the federal government’s plan to slash critical public services, cut more than 40,000 federal public service workers, and undermine the collective bargaining rights of hundreds of thousands of workers.

Despite the needs of a growing and aging population, the government’s Budget 2025 will eliminate vital programs and services over the next three years while replacing workers with artificial intelligence through its Comprehensive Expenditure Review (CER).

“These deep public service cuts will hurt workers, families and communities across Canada,” said PSAC National President Sharon DeSousa. “People can expect longer wait times for passports, EI and child care benefits, more unanswered calls at Canada Revenue Agency, reduced public health and food safety efforts, and a government that isn’t there for ordinary people when they need it most.”

Instead of investing in frontline services and the workers who keep Canada running, the government is doubling down on job cuts and AI chatbots that will weaken Canada’s social safety net.

PSAC will do everything in its power to protect public services and the people who provide them by enforcing the provisions of our collective agreements and the rights enshrined in labour law.

“Prime Minister Carney talks a lot about how Canada will have to make sacrifices, but who is really making sacrifices in this budget?” asked DeSousa. “It’s not the mega corporations, the wealthy bankers or the CEOs – once again it’s working people in this country who will shoulder the burden.”

Changes to collective bargaining

We are also extremely concerned about the government’s decision to unilaterally change the labour laws that govern federal public service workers, and will be reviewing the legislation closely.

“These changes are yet another direct attack by this government on workers’ constitutionally protected collective bargaining rights,” said DeSousa. “Let me be clear: workers fought hard to secure these rights, and will fight tooth-and-nail to protect them.”

Equitable retirement for frontline workers

We welcome the commitment in the budget to provide public safety workers with equitable retirement benefits, allowing them to retire with dignity after 25 years of service, without penalty. This is long overdue.

This article was first published on the PSAC website.

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