PSAC to Take CBSA before Labour Board and Human Rights Commission over Arming Communications

Union also filing suit in Federal Court over right to strike.

Over the last several weeks CBSA has been attempting to undermine the legal rights of CIU/PSAC members in the FB bargaining unit.

It is our position that CBSA’s communications concerning the arming of officers misinformed employees of their rights under both our contract and federal law. We also believe that CBSA’s recent arming communications represented an attempt to intimidate, coerce and harass employees.

We will uphold our rights.

As a result, in addition to the filing of a policy grievance, PSAC will be filing both an Unfair Labour Practice complaint with the Public Service Labour Relations Board, as well as a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission over CBSA’s recent communications concerning the arming initiative.

Defending the right to strike

Both CBSA and Treasury Board have recently expanded the list of designated positions (ESAs) in an effort to remove our right to strike. PSAC has already filed a constitutional challenge in response to the government’s passing of Bill C-4 last December. Our union also recently filed suit with Federal Court and submitted a complaint with the PSLRB over Treasury Board’s stacking of the designations list and the government’s disregard for previous Labour Board decisions concerning FB designations.

We will update as things progress. Please see your union representative or Branch President with any questions.

CIU/PSAC Taking Action in Response to CBSA Communication on Arming

Policy grievances to be filed, legal counsel being consulted.

Yesterday CBSA put out a statement to union members concerning the arming initiative. The statement included information that is misleading and inaccurate. Dépôt de griefs de principe et consultation de conseillers juridiques

Hier, l’Agence des services frontaliers du Canada (ASFC) a fait parvenir à nos membres des documents sur l’initiative d’armement. Selon nous, ces documents sont truffés d’erreurs et de renseignements trompeurs.

CIU/PSAC Statement on Employer Arming Communication

This afternoon CBSA put out a statement to union members concerning the arming initiative. We believe the content of the communication to be both inaccurate and misleading. Cet après-midi, l’ASFC a envoyé aux membres du syndicat un document sur l’initiative d’armement. À notre avis, l’employeur diffuse des renseignements erronés et trompeurs.

Brother Gaston Ethier receives Life Membership Award

On April 4, 2014, Brother Gaston Ethier, former President and Steward of the Eastern Ontario Branch, has been honored by the National Board of Directors with CIU’s highest distinction, a CIU Life Membership Award for his tireless efforts to support the participation of then CEUDA and now CIU members in the annual Canadian Peace and Police Officers Memorial Service in Ottawa.

PSAC Launches Court Action Against Bill C-4

The PSAC has taken the first step in its legal challenge against Bill C-4, the legislation that has gutted the collective bargaining rights of federal public service workers.

On March 24, 2014 the union filed its constitutional challenge to Bill C-4 in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. The challenge focuses on the following key areas:

  • Essential services, which challenges the changes made to the Public Service Labour Relations Act (PSLRA) that give the employer exclusive right to decide what are “essential services” and which workers perform them.
  • Dispute Resolution, which challenges the amendments made to the dispute resolution mechanisms under PSLRA where unions were free to choose a conciliation/strike process or binding arbitration. The amendments now restrict their choices. Bill C-4 also ensures that arbitration boards are no longer independent.
  • Freedom of Association and Freedom to Strike, which argues that Bill C-4 violates the fundamental rights of federal public service workers guaranteed under the Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Changes made to the Public Service Health Care Plan

Changes to the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) were made following discussions between Treasury Board and the Plan’s Partners Committee, which includes federal public sector unions, retirees and employer representatives. Des modifications ont été apportées au Régime de soins de santé de la fonction publique (RSSFP) après discussions avec le Conseil du Trésor et le comité des partenaires du Régime, qui regroupe les syndicats de fonctionnaires fédéraux, les retraités et les représentants de l’employeur.

CBSA’s Notice to Employees regarding Essential Services Designation

We have been informed by Board of Directors members in the field that the employer is distributing notices to employees advising them that the position they occupy is one that provides essential services.

CIU appears before the Senate Committee on National Security and Defence

On March 24, 2014, Brother Jean-Pierre Fortin, National President, appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on National Security and Defence

Participation in the 2014 National Convention

We are fast approaching our Seventeenth National Convention. The National Convention, which is the supreme governing body of our Union, 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.

New FB contract signed

New Agreement is Now in Effect

Today we signed our new agreement with Treasury Board. As a result the tentative agreement ratified in mid-December is now in effect.