Tag Archives: COVID-19

COVID-19 — A look at all that has happened this week

The past week has seen unprecedented events take place, with new measures to address the ongoing COVID-19 crisis being announced on a daily basis. To say that the impact on border services and our membership has been significant would be an understatement. The current situation has been taxing on all of us. As you continue to work hard to ensure the security of your fellow Canadians, it is important to remember that your union is there to support you, both locally and nationally.

At the national level, our representatives have been in daily contact with CBSA upper management. The positive, constructive relationship that the CIU National President has established with the Minister in the last week has had tangible impacts on the measures announced since by the Canadian Government:

We brought up the issue of flagpoling as an example of a practice that unnecessarily monopolized important resources. Yesterday, CBSA made it clear that the practice would be stopped for the duration of the crisis.
We flagged the lack of quarantine for people crossing outside of official border crossings, such as Roxham Road. In response, mid-week, Minister Blair announced a quarantine plan (the government has since also announced that irregular migrants would be sent back to the U.S. for the time being).
Earlier this week, we raised our members’ concerns with non-essential travellers being allowed into Canada from the U.S. at land borders. We were glad to see the Canadian and American governments working together to put in place a solution, which is scheduled to come into effect tonight.

Union representatives have been working diligently to make sure the employer provides an adequate amount of personal protection equipment (PPE) across the country. Thanks to union pressure, CBSA confirmed that PPE should be used in all modes, by all front-line personnel, and they are looking at creating a guide to ensure PPE is used properly.

For those required to self-isolate, your union has been in contact with management at all levels to clarify the use of 6990 leave when required. As well, local Branch representatives across Canada have been participating in OHS meetings to keep informed of latest COVID-19 developments.

Throughout the week, PSAC has been providing guidance and support on different matters, including health and safety. In addition, the Alliance was instrumental in pushing Treasury Board to clarify the meaning of the term ‘critical services’.

As this week draws to a close, we are witnessing never before seen changes to how our border operates. These are challenging times, and the role played by our members is critical. Take care of yourselves and of one another, and reach out to your union for support whenever necessary. We will keep you updated as things progress.

A message from Chris Aylward, PSAC National President

I am reaching out to all of you to express my deep gratitude to our members who are on the frontlines of this pandemic and to all who continue to sustain critical government services.

The situation has been evolving swiftly and dramatically and our union has been working tirelessly to protect members and their families. We are doing everything we can to keep safe those who are required to go into the workplace, and those who are teleworking. We are insisting that supports be put in place for those who are most at risk. We are also working to protect those who are physically vulnerable at this time. We know that precarious workers are facing hardship and have joined with others to press for income assistance. Northern and Indigenous communities are also at great risk because of difficult living conditions and limited access to health care.

We are in daily communication with employers across the country and we will continue to work closely with them to ensure your safety, and that of the public.

This is a time of exceptional solidarity—a time when our members are engaged in an all-out effort to fight the pandemic and ensure that Canada and Canadians are as safe and supported as possible. Thanks to all of you—border officers, Service Canada personnel, correctional services workers, university personnel and healthcare providers, and so many others—our country will get through this crisis.

Given the constantly changing situation, please continue to listen to the advice of public health authorities and follow their guidance and directives. Let’s all continue to support those who need help.

PSAC has developed some resources to help you and we will be developing more as needed. Please make sure to follow our social media accounts for regular updates.

If you require the assistance of your union, you can contact us online.

The leadership and staff of the PSAC, alongside your local, Component and regional leaders, are committed to doing all we can to support members and communities during this challenging time.

In solidarity,

Chris Aylward
PSAC National President

The original version of this article was first posted on the PSAC website.

PSAC welcomes government measures to support workers

In addition to those in the federal public service, PSAC represents many workers in our universities, gaming sector, security industry, and at national airports. Many of these members are facing layoffs and fearing pay interruption due to the health crisis caused by the spread of COVID-19.

Federal and provincial governments have announced a range of measures to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on individuals and the economy. Many of these measures address short-term needs and are a direct response to the deficiencies in our support systems, however the governments’ actions are urgently needed and we welcome them. For more information, please see the following list of measures announced (to date) designed to support workers, on the PSAC website.

COVID-19: Statement by the National President on further measures announced

Sisters and Brothers,

While yesterday afternoon’s announcement by the Prime Minister regarding increased measures at the border is a step in the right direction to ensure the safety of Canadians, it is still not entirely clear what the operational ramifications will be for our officers. Our national representatives met with CBSA upper management yesterday in order to better understand the situation as it stands. Following our meeting with CBSA, here is what we know, beyond what has been announced in the media:

The ban announced by the Prime Minister took effect at 00:01;
Personal protection equipment (PPE) should be allowed in all modes, for all front-line personnel. CBSA will look into creating a guide to ensure PPE is used properly;
Medical notes will not be required;
Anyone not ill that has to quarantine themselves because of vacation or work travel will be granted 6990 leave for 14 days, backdated to the date of arrival in Canada, even if they have worked since their return;
Officers and employees who live in the United Stated and who are not ill will be exempted from the 14-day requirement;
Employees who cannot work out arrangements (such as shift change or getting assistance from a spouse or an immediate family member) and need to take care of their children will be granted 6990 leave;
Any operation – non-critical as well as critical – that can be done remotely will be done remotely;
Courses at Rigaud will be delayed after the current cohort has completed its training;
Flagpoling, training, telephone reporting, escorting, operations at land borders, marine operations – all of these have not been addressed by CBSA at this point. We stressed the importance of CBSA providing clear guidelines for all employees, and we’re hopeful that the employer will address this in a timely manner.

We realize that the situation remains uncertain for many of our members across the country. It is not an easy situation to navigate, and we are proud to see our members across the country continue to handle this emergency with aplomb. We will continue to put pressure on the employer to ensure that all our members have the support and the guidance they need.

We cannot emphasize enough the need to use the recommended protective equipment – goggles, N95 masks, gloves – for all front-line personnel, and we are glad to see that the employer agrees with us about the necessity of personal protective equipment in all modes. Our members are the first to interact with travellers on Canadian soil, and play a first-line role in the defence against this virus. In looking out for the safety of their fellow Canadians, it is also important for all involved in the response to this challenge to take the necessary measures to ensure their own.

Moving away from the border, we are also glad to see that Treasury Board is encouraging Federal employees to work from home if they can. We realize this may have little impact on those of our members who are on the front-line, but it is a positive development for our Brothers and Sisters elsewhere in the federal workforce.

As always, we will keep you updated as things progress. The situation is quite fluid at the moment, and remains subject to change.

In solidarity,

Jean-Pierre Fortin
National President
Customs and Immigration Union

Statement of the CIU National President on COVID-19 and measures at the border

Sisters and Brothers, the Customs and Immigration Union is monitoring closely the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

We are conscious that the current state of affairs is concerning to all CIU members, be it for the safety of their family or their own well-being. A large number of CIU members are active on the front lines, where they encounter travellers frequently, and where safety is paramount.

We have called on the government repeatedly to improve current measures to ensure proper screening and mitigate risk to our officers, our members, and Canadians everywhere. While our working relationship with CBSA regarding the current pandemic remains fair, we are disappointed in the lack of overall information and guidance provided by other parts of the federal government. We are working diligently to get clear information from CBSA and other agencies on what this unprecedented situation means for all affected members. In terms of recent developments, we now know that international inbound flights will be restricted to certain airports, although exact locations have not been confirmed yet.

At this time, all members should follow established safety protocols. Front line personnel should wear proper equipment, including masks, gloves, and goggles. Stay home if you are sick. We are steadfast in our discussions with management that any preventative quarantine time should be at the employer’s expense, and we are calling upon CBSA management to allow teleworking for all employees who reasonably can. We encourage you to review your rights at work. Contact your Branch President or your local health and safety representatives for assistance.

On the union side of things, we are also taking measures to ensure the safety of our members, our elected officials, and our employees. PSAC has already announced that strike votes and union events are suspended, and we are following suit. Our own union events, such as the upcoming meeting of the National Board of Directors in early April, have been cancelled for the time being.

Again, it bears repeating that the situation is evolving extremely quickly, and information is subject to change. We will make sure to keep you updated based on the information that is available to us.

Jean-Pierre Fortin
CIU National President