PSAC/CIU to Take CBSA Before Labour Board

4 August 2017

In negotiations, our PSAC/CIU bargaining team for the FB group has made proposals to Treasury Board and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) concerning shift work, scheduling and part-time work.

The law says that all matters subject to negotiation are frozen until such time as the parties reach a new agreement, are in a legal strike position or until an arbitration award is issued. This means that our current terms and conditions are frozen. The same rules also apply with respect to changes that could have a direct impact on matters under negotiation or potentially subject to negotiation.

Recently the CBSA has announced that it is proceeding with a change to its part-time policy to increase part-time employment. CIU has made clear that it is opposed to such changes, and PSAC at the bargaining table has indicated that our position is to improve job and income security for PSAC/CIU members at CBSA. An increase in part-time employment runs contrary to this objective.

Given CBSA’s plan to proceed with the changes, PSAC legal counsel is in the process of filing a freeze-violation charge with the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board (FPSLREB).

CBSA management cannot do whatever it wants. We will uphold our rights.

We will be sure to update as things progress. Please contact your CIU Branch President with any questions.

A version of this article was also published on the PSAC website.

CIU Expresses Concerns on CBSA Reducing Hours of Operation at Ports of Entry

4 August 2017

Press Release – Ottawa, August 4, 2017 – The National President of the Customs and Immigration Union which represents 10,000 members, most of whom are front line border services and inland immigration enforcement officers, has raised concerns regarding the recent announcement that the Canada Border Services Agency will be reducing hours of operation at six ports of entry in New Brunswick beginning this Sunday on August 6.

CIU National President Jean-Pierre Fortin provided details of the looming closures:

“Hours of operation will be reduced in the future at all of the Bloomfield, Milltown, Centreville, Gillespie, Forest City and Forestville ports of entry. The only ‘explanation’ provided by CBSA is that this reduction in operational capabilities is being done to ‘harmonize’ hours of operation with US facilities.”

Fortin was critical of the decision and its potential impact on the country’s security.

“Canadians would be better served if instead of reducing our operations to match those of the U.S., our Government proactively worked with US authorities to revise practices and Agreements so that the current crisis of persons entering Canada illegally from the U.S. can be addressed. CIU is also specifically alarmed that this reduction of front line personnel and operations will expand from New Brunswick and also be imposed in Quebec which is currently undergoing a flood of persons entering our country illegally. Reducing front line officer capabilities contradicts the public interests of public safety and facilitated legitimate cross border trade and travel. It is also important to note that the U.S. has a dedicated border patrol that can maintain its country’s security despite a reduction in hours.”

Fortin also outlined the larger issue of CBSA’s continuing reduction of operational capabilities which the Trudeau Government needs to step up and repair.

“These latest actions by CBSA further reduce front line operational capabilities that began in 2012 with the former Government’s Deficit Reduction Action Plan. We lost over 1,250 front line operational positions through that initiative. The erosion of front line operations personnel continues with these latest cuts and with what I fear will be more on the horizon. On more than one occasion, CIU has asked the Liberal Government to reinstate the positions that were cut by the previous government. It has also asked for the creation of a dedicated border patrol that would allow it to maintain the integrity of the border. It’s not just asylum seekers who are crossing illegally, there are also drugs and weapons. Today’s circumstances clearly demonstrate that our Government is further weakening our country’s first line of defence. We need to ensure that CBSA receives the necessary funding and that it properly deploys the operational personnel our country needs so that CBSA officers can perform their duties to protect and promote the safety, security and well-being of Canadians.”

The Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) is a component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), which represents Canada’s Front-Line Customs and Immigration Officers. CIU also represents Investigation, Intelligence and Trade Customs Officers, Immigration Inland Enforcement and Hearings Officers, as well as all support staff – all of whom work at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

For more information, please contact

Jean-Pierre Fortin
National President
(613) 723-8008
(450) 357-6684 (m)
jp.fortin@ciu-sdi.ca

Download the PDF version of this press release.

New Information Regarding Phoenix

25 July 2017

Treasury Board has recently shared documents providing details regarding changes to the Directive on Terms and Conditions of Employment, as well as information pertaining to new claims process for employees who are experiencing delays in receiving the full amount of government benefits and credits. Treasury Board notes that these changes have been made to lessen potential financial hardships due to the implementation of Phoenix. Please review the documents for further information (click on each link to download). Please note that all documents are provided as Word (.docx) documents.

Working for a Fair Contract for Border Services Members

25 July 2017

While Parliament is in recess over the summer, members of CIU’s National Board of Directors across the country are taking lobbying training and bringing our message to Members of Parliament. We’re talking to MPs about what it means to work for the Canada Border Services Agency and the importance of achieving a contract that provides parity with other law enforcement agencies.

Across Canada, we’re calling on MPs to contact Treasury Board President Scott Brison in support of our demand for an early retirement regime, one that reflects what is already in place for other law enforcement personnel in the federal public service.

There are many MPs we need to meet. While some meetings have already taken place, it’s not too late for CIU members to participate by volunteering to meet with their MP. Contact your Branch President who can provide you with helpful notes and information. Members can also get involved in Branch activities taking place over the summer to remind the employer that we want an agreement that meets our needs.

Progress is being made on an Essential Services Agreement

Talks concerning an essential services’ agreement (ESA) with Treasury Board are ongoing and progress has been made. Our hope is that an agreement will be reached in the very near future.

Because the essential services agreement determines which services can and cannot be withdrawn in the event of a job action, resolving the ESA with Treasury Board is critical step in the bargaining process that must be completed before a strike vote can be called and job action undertaken. We’ll provide an update as talks continue.

We’re preparing for the Public Interest Commission

Work is underway to prepare the extensive presentation and submission that our union will make before the Public Interest Commission (PIC). The first hearing dates are October 17 and 18.

A version of this article was also published on the PSAC website.

Congratulations to CIU Members Elected at Regional Conventions

5 July 2017

CIU would like to congratulate members elected to various regional positions during the most recent PSAC Regional Triennial Conventions. We’re proud to see significant union involvement from coast to coast!

Continuer

2018 PA, SV, TC & EB Bargaining – Program of Demands & Input Call

30 June 2017

The collective agreements for the Program Administration (PA), Operational (SV), Technical (TC), and Education/Library Science (EB) bargaining units will expire between June and August 2018, and PSAC anticipates serving notice to bargain in early Summer of 2018 for each of them. In preparation for bargaining for the units mentioned above, PSAC will hold a National Bargaining Conference. which will take place from March 26 to 29, 2018, in Ottawa.

An input call for bargaining demands for PA, SV, TC, and EB Bargaining Units has also been issued. For more information on the Bargaining Conference and on how to submit Bargaining Demands, please carefully review the documents below:

CIU National Office Memorandum on the input call and on National Bargaining Conference recruitment for PA, SV,TC, and EB Bargaining Units
[Download PDF]
PSAC’s Program Of Demands and Input Call For Treasury Board Bargaining Units (PA, SV, TC, EB)
[Download PDF]
Proposal Form for Collective Bargaining
[Download Word Document]

Opioid Crisis: CIU and CBSA Working Together

21 June 2017

As front-line officers, Border Services Officers (BSOs) face potential threats on a daily basis. The ongoing opioid crisis, involving deadly substances such as fentanyl and carfentanil, is no different. This growing issue is affecting communities coast-to-coast and represents a major health and safety issue for BSOs who, as part of the country’s first line of defence, play a crucial role in detecting harmful substances before they enter Canada.

Following two recent opioid-related incidents in Montreal and Fort Erie, the Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) is working closely with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to review and create health and safety policies aimed at keeping our members safe.

“Being a BSO is a dangerous job,” said Jean-Pierre Fortin, CIU National President. “Protecting front-line officers is top priority – making sure that they have access to proper protective equipment in an environment where they are at risk of being in contact with harmful substances is one of the main reasons we exist as a union.”

President Fortin explained that both the union and the employer were looking at a wide range of solutions to complement existing ones. While BSOs already have some access to equipment such as gloves, face masks, and naloxone (a medication which acts quickly to counteract the effects of opioids), the union hopes that new, up-to-date protective measures will help officers continue to perform their much-needed yet dangerous duties in a safer work environment.

Three Years Without a Contract: FB Group to Take Message to Cabinet This Summer

20 June 2017

FB bargaining: 3 years without a contract

As of today, it’s been three years since our contract expired.

We have taken the government to court. We have taken the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) before the Public Service Labour Relations and Employment Board (PSLREB). Union members have picketed their workplaces – from Sarnia to Dorval Airport in Montreal, to PIA in Toronto, to downtown Vancouver. We have filed for a Public Interest Commission (PIC). Now is the time for us to take our message to MPs.

PSAC and CIU are organizing to take our message about the need for parity with other law enforcement agencies to cabinet ministers and other MPs this summer. Lobbying teams are being organized across the country. Other activities in support of our efforts to achieve a fair contract are also being organized.

CIU National President Jean-Pierre Fortin and PSAC National President Robyn Benson have met with the Minister of Public Safety and the President of Treasury Board. Now it’s time that MPs hear directly from union members in their constituencies about the challenges they face day in and day out as law enforcement personnel.

PSAC and CIU are also working together to further promote the work that we do to keep Canadians safe. These initiatives will also roll out over the course of the summer.

PIC dates have been confirmed

Our FB bargaining team broke off talks earlier this year after having made no progress in negotiations on our key priorities. Meanwhile, CBSA and Treasury Board continued to push for concessions.

Our Team proceeded to the next step in the process provided for under the law – filing for a Public Interest Commission (PIC). Get more information on the PIC process here. The PIC has now been established and the dates for our hearing are confirmed for October 17 & 18, and November 2, 6 & 23, 2017.

We will keep you update as things progress. Stay informed: Sign up for bargaining updates. Please contact your CIU Branch President with any questions.

Download the PDF of a previous version of this update (bilingual document).
A version of this article was also published on the PSAC website.

Senate Votes to Repeal Anti-Union Laws

16 June 2017

Two Conservative anti-union laws, Bills C-377 and C-525, are now history with the adoption of Bill C-4. “Both of these Conservative bills were an attack on working people,” said PSAC National President Robyn Benson. “Canada’s labour movement mobilized fierce opposition to these laws. This victory is thanks to the vocal solidarity of union members and our allies.”

The bill reverses changes that were made to the Canada Labour Code, the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act, the Public Service Labour Relations Act and the Income Tax Act.

Bill C-525 made it more difficult for workers in the federal sector to unionize. It also gave employers more opportunity to interfere in the process of establishing a union in the workplace.

Bill C-377 required unions to make public detailed financial information, unlike any other type of organization. Privacy commissioners called the bill a violation of privacy laws, while others described it as unconstitutional. While the law was in force, the Liberal government had waived the requirement for unions to file this information for 2016 and 2017.

A version of this article was also published on the PSAC website.

PSAC and Treasury Board Sign Collective Agreements for PA, EB, TC and SV Groups

15 June 2017

PA EB TC SV collective agreements signed

After much delay on the part of the employer, Treasury Board and PSAC have finally signed collective agreements for the PA, EB, TC and SV bargaining units on June 14, 2017. This is the result of significant pressure from PSAC.

These agreements, which cover over 85,000 workers in the federal public service, were ratified by the membership in April. Since then, PSAC had been pushing the employer to sign the agreements.

Letter sent to Trudeau; ULP complaint threatened

Last week, due to the excessive delay, PSAC National President Robyn Benson sent a letter to the Prime Minister. She expressed her disappointment and urged him to compel Treasury Board to set a date for signing.

PSAC also told Treasury Board that further delays would result in an unfair labour practice (ULP) complaint being filed with the labour board.

A version of this article was also published on the PSAC website.