Federal court upholds PSAC alternation victory

28 July 2014

The Federal Court of Canada recently confirmed the PSAC’s alternation victory by dismissing Treasury Board’s application.

In February 2014, the Federal Court heard an application for judicial review brought forward by Treasury Board challenging the alternation policy grievance decision issued by the Public Service Labour Relations Board (PSLRB), which was in favour of PSAC.

The court rejected Treasury Board’s argument that employees about to lose their jobs had limited rights when it comes to alternation. The PSAC successfully argued that Treasury Board’s view made no sense and directly violated the key WFAA objective of maximizing employment opportunities for affected employees.

This decision confirms PSAC’s policy grievance and strengthens the employer’s obligation to establish an effective alternation system.

Treasury Board now must take responsibility for its failure on alternation and immediately ensure all departments respect the collective agreement.

The PSAC will continue to make sure that employees who wish to find an alternate have been given every possible opportunity to do so under the terms of the collective agreement.

Standing together for bargaining, standing together for public services

28 July 2014

From July 8-10, PSAC’s newly elected bargaining teams met in Ottawa to start negotiations with Treasury Board.

Our new video, Standing together for bargaining, standing together for public services features negotiating team members talking about the importance of membership engagement in the bargaining process.

Share this video to demonstrate that we are united in defending public services and the working conditions of the people who provide them.

Sick leave doesn’t cost government extra: PBO report

23 July 2014

The Parliamentary Budget Officer released a new report today, concluding that it costs almost nothing extra to pay sick leave to federal civil servants.

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PSAC stands strong during Treasury Board negotiations

15 July 2014

As planned, the formal bargaining process with Treasury Board began July 8-10. Negotiations will resume in mid-September. Here are a few updates.

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PA group: Negotiations focus on classification reform, workplace surveillance

14 July 2014

Negotiations for a new contract for PA members took place from July 8-10, with the PA bargaining team and Treasury Board exchanging bargaining demands.

Our team made it clear to Treasury Board that we will not negotiate concessions.

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FB Bargaining Team Tables Demands

11 July 2014

This past week (Tuesday July 8th through July 10th) our FB Bargaining Team met with Treasury Board/CBSA and exchanged proposals. We made it clear to the employer that our goals for this round of bargaining are to bring wages and working conditions in line with the broader law enforcement community, to fix problems in the workplace, and to ensure that PSAC/CIU members working at CBSA are afforded new rights and protections in the context of a hostile management culture at CBSA.

Some of the areas that we have made proposals on include:

• A commitment from Treasury Board and CBSA to support an early retirement regime comparable to other federal law enforcement agencies.

• New, substantial protections in the context of discipline.

• Increased premiums for shift workers.

• Access to Telework arrangements.

• New allowances.

Our team will be making proposals concerning Arming and CDT, Hours of Work, Job Security and Wages once the employer provides payroll and demographic data requested by our team. We will also be conducting a survey on compensation in the broader law enforcement community in Canada. We return to the bargaining table September 9, 2014.

Bad faith bargaining complaint filed over sick leave communications

On Monday, the PSAC filed a bad faith bargaining complaint over recent Treasury Board/CBSA communications concerning our sick leave. In negotiations, Treasury Board indicated that the government wishes to move to a short-term disability plan, however the employer did not table any sick leave proposals. At the outset of bargaining, our team made it clear that we are seeking improvements in this round of bargaining, not steps backwards.

For more information on our bargaining team, on the complaint filed, and for a copy of the
package of proposals that we tabled and those of the employer, please visit the FB bargaining section of the PSAC website.

We will be sure to provide updates as things progress.

Name Tag Fight : CIU Wins At OHS Tribunal, CBSA Appeal Rejected

4 July 2014

In December 2012, many Border Services Officers (BSO) across Canada exercised their right to refuse dangerous work. These BSOs alleged that CBSA’s new, ill-conceived name tag policy forcing them to wear ID tags showing their names placed them at a higher risk of being harassed, threatened or injured by persons who may be angered as a result of enforcement actions taken against them.

A Health & Safety Officer (HSO) from Labour Programs, Employment and Social Development Canada, investigated the work refusals and, while finding “no danger”, issued a direction ordering CBSA to take preventative measures to address assessed hazards associated with the implementation of the new name tag policy into various workplaces nationwide.

CBSA, in its typically arrogant ways, decided to ignore the HSO direction, and appealed it to the Occupational Safety and Health Tribunal.

The Tribunal hearings occurred the week of December 12, 2013. After nearly 8 months of waiting, the Tribunal issued an excellent decision … favouring BSO safety and reminding CBSA that it has to do a better job protecting its employees.

The decision quashes CBSA’s appeal and confirms the direction issued by a HSO.

CIU applauds its members for exercising their rights, thanks the PSAC, and expresses its gratitude to the HSO and to the Tribunal for supporting BSO safety.

We are now examining the decision and assessing all options for next steps.

Note: The decision will be posted & distributed once the French version is available after translation.

CIU delegates at the PSAC Quebec Convention

19 June 2014

On June 6, 7 and 8, CIU National President Jean-Pierre Fortin and CIU delegates attended the 8th PSAC-Quebec Triennial Convention, in Beaupré. Sister Magali Picard (first on the left) was reelected Regional Executive Vice-President by acclamation.

Watch new video featuring PSAC members take a stand against the cuts

16 June 2014

Today the federal government launches the National Public Service Week. PSAC and CIU have boycotted it, but it doesn’t mean we are staying silent. Cuts to public services are having a negative effect on Canadians from all walks of life. Watch our new video featuring PSAC members take a stand against the cuts.

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CIU National President meets with PA group negotiator

13 June 2014

CIU National President Jean-Pierre Fortin met yesterday with Sister Gail Lem, PSAC negotiator for the PA group.

They took advantage of their meeting to establish a PSAC-CIU communication protocol that will ensure all PA bargaining updates reach the membership.

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