Tag Archives: victoires

FB ratification kit now available: A message from the CIU National President

On June 11, 2024, the PSAC-CIU bargaining team for the FB group secured a tentative agreement for over 9,000 members at CBSA. This agreement represents the culmination of nearly two years of intense work at the bargaining table and brings to our members outstanding gains in several areas, notably on the wage front. The ratification kit is now available, and I invite all our members to see the full details of the tentative agreement.

The dedication of our FB bargaining team to obtaining the best deal for our members leaves the FB group in a markedly stronger position. The resulting tentative agreement is a resounding success for all our members, without whom this victory would not have been possible. Once again, it is through your support and solidarity that our team was able to secure the improvements you all so decidedly deserve.

Over the next few weeks, members will have the opportunity to attend ratification sessions and vote on the agreement. Further details will be announced in the coming days.

The FB bargaining team unanimously recommends ratification of the tentative agreement, and I could not be prouder of adding my voice to this recommendation. This tentative agreement is the latest in a long line of victories, illustrating once more what we as a union can accomplish together.

Thank you and in solidarity,

Mark Weber
CIU National President

Tentative agreement reached for more than 9,000 workers at Canada Border Services Agency, summary available

After nearly two years of without a contract, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) have reached tentative agreements with Treasury Board and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for over 9,000 members of the FB bargaining unit.

The four-year agreement – spanning from June 2022 to June 2026 – includes a total compounded wage increase of 15.7%, highlighting the value of the work done by FB unit members and exceeding recent wage increases provided in other Canadian law enforcement agencies. Additionally, the agreement features enhanced protections relative to technological changes, and better provisions for shift scheduling and leave.

Full details of tentative agreement

“Our bargaining team worked around the clock to secure the best contract for our members, and this tentative agreement is a testament to their incredible hard work and dedication,” said Sharon DeSousa, PSAC National President. “This is a well-deserved victory for our members at CBSA who safeguard our nation’s borders and ensure the safety and security of all Canadians.”

The agreement, reached after nine days of around-the-clock negotiations, avoids potential job action at Canada’s borders.

“I’m proud of the solidarity our members have shown over the past two years of negotiations,” said Mark Weber, CIU National President. “Our bargaining team couldn’t have won this agreement without the support of thousands of members across the country who supported their efforts.”

The FB bargaining team is unanimously recommending ratification of the tentative agreement. An online vote will take place in the coming weeks.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

PSAC celebrates equitable pension reform for thousands of frontline workers

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) applauds the federal government’s announcement of new pension reform legislation today, which will provide equitable retirement benefits for thousands of frontline public safety and law enforcement workers across the country.

This landmark legislation marks a significant victory for our members who have been advocating for fair pension treatment for more than a decade.

“It’s National Public Service Week, and I can’t think of better news to deliver to the federal workers who keep us safe every single day,” said Sharon DeSousa, PSAC National President. “After years of being treated like second-class workers, this legislation will offer a dignified retirement to thousands of frontline workers.”

PSAC members expected to be covered by the legislation include frontline border services staff, Coast Guard search and rescue technicians, Parks Canada wildland firefighters, Department of National Defence firefighters on military bases, and correctional officers, paramedics and firefighters working for the three territorial governments.

These frontline workers play a crucial role ensuring the safety and well-being of Canadians across the country; protecting our borders, fighting devastating wildfires and delivering vital emergency services in remote communities.

“Nearly a decade of hard work and advocacy by our members has finally paid off,” said DeSousa. “Now, these dedicated frontline workers will no longer be forced to work five years longer before they can retire, just like other public safety workers across the country.”

Most public safety and law enforcement workers in Canada already benefit from early retirement options, including most firefighters, air traffic controllers, RCMP constables, and operational employees at Correctional Services Canada.

This equitable pension reform will allow more public safety workers to retire with dignity after 25 years of service without penalties.

“We’ll be reviewing this legislation carefully and pushing the government to adopt these changes swiftly to provide frontline workers with fair retirement benefits as soon as possible,” said DeSousa.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

2008: ‘Doubling-up’ at ports of entry

Our seventh vignette in a series celebrating our union victories.

It should go without saying that no officer should be obligated to work alone when performing law enforcement related duties. Yet, CIU had to lobby aggressively so the unacceptable practice of forcing officers to work alone – often in remote locations or late at night – would stop. This egregiously unsafe policy affected a staggering 139 work locations throughout the country, needlessly endangering officers and border communities.

Thanks to relentless union pressure, the situation started to turn in 2006, with the government allocating funding to solve ‘work-alone’ situations. Finally, 2008 saw the employer adopt its Doubling-up Policy.

While it would still take a few years after the adoption of the policy for work-alone situations to be eliminated, the union had succeeded in its primary objective: Having the employer recognize the need to end an archaic practice and ensure proper backup for its officers – our members – in a law enforcement environment.

Two border services officers, with a text about CIU's role in achieving the 'doubling-up' of officers at ports of entry

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For more union victories, see this page, and follow us on social media using #CIUvictories.

2017: Alternation and age discrimination case

This is the sixth vignette in a series celebrating our union victories.

In a matter of blatant age discrimination by the employer, Diane Legros, who worked for CBSA, sought to alternate with another employee to benefit from a Transition Support Measure. Alternation occurs in a Workforce Adjustment Situation when an employee switches with a person in an ‘opting’ position who wishes to remain in the public service, ‘alternating’ into this job and leaving the public service with a financial payout.

Legros’ request was refused: She was 62 and her manager expected Legros would likely retire soon, at which time her postion could be eliminated. With the support of the union, Sister Legros challenged the manager‘s position, and grieved – twice. The manager persisted, and Legros’ case eventually went to adjudication. It was found that her age was indeed a factor in the employer’s decision to deny her alternation – a clear-cut example of discrimination.

Ultimately, the employer faced consequences for violating the Canadian Human Rights Act: The adjudicator awarded Legros with $10,000 in damages for “willful and reckless discrimination”, as well as $15,000 for “significant pain and suffering”. The ‘Legros Decision’ thus helped reinforce the protections that benefit all our members, illustrating once more that labour rights are fought for and not given.

Image of a woman looking out the window with text explaining a union victory in a matter of age discrimination

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For more union victories, see this page, and follow us on social media using #CIUvictories.

Full details of tentative agreement