Customs and Immigration Union | Syndicat des Douanes et de l'Immigration

On this page:

• VSSAs in the Collective Agreement
• How to Establish a New VSSA
• Process Map
• FAQ
• VSSA Examples

Welcome to the Variable Shift Scheduling Arrangements guide, which provides instructions, guidelines and tools to help CIU Branches negotiate VSSAs for their members. The information presented is intended as a guide, and may change to reflect new developments. Please contact a CIU Labour Relations Officer should you have any questions.

VSSAs in the Collective Agreement

Variable Shift Scheduling Arrangements are covered under Articles 25.24 through 25.27, as well as Appendix B, of the FB Collective Agreement.

How to Establish a VSSA

Instructions for Members

Contact your Branch President if you are thinking of negotiating a VSSA (new or renegotiating existing). Only the Branch President can appoint a VSSA Committee. Please refer to the Process Map below to establish a new VSSA in your workplace.

Instructions for Branch President

• Refer to the Process Map below and the Collective Agreement (Articles 25.24 through 25.27 and Appendix B).
• Appoint a VSSA committee. An ideal committee consists of: Someone who is good at building a schedule, someone who is familiar with the clauses to be contained in the VSSA agreement, and someone who will be comfortable negotiating with management. The Branch President is also an ex-officio member of the committee.
• The VSSA is negotiated between CIU and the employer. The person(s) negotiating the VSSA should be the Branch President or a delegate authorized to speak for the Branch.
• Poll the membership to determine if they want a VSSA or if they want to change their current VSSA and, if so, what conditions they want included.
• Educate members regarding the process and potential outcomes.
• Approach management to see if they are willing to entertain VSSA negotiations.
• Keep the National VP informed of the process.
• Send final VSSA proposal to the Labour Relations Officer in the CIU National Office prior to submitting it to management.

Instructions for VSSA Committees

• Refer to the Process Map below and the Collective Agreement (Articles 25.24 through 25.27 and Appendix B).
• Ensure that all committee members are aware of their specific roles.
• Communicate continually with Branch President.
• Poll the membership to determine if they want a VSSA or if they want to change their current VSSA and, if so, what conditions they want included.
• Educate members regarding the process and potential outcomes.
• Approach management to see if they are willing to entertain VSSA negotiations.
• Use other working schedules & written agreements as resource tools to create the schedule(s) that reflect(s) the wants/needs of the members. Be inclusive.
• Ensure that votes at every stage are conducted properly and documented.

Example of Questionnaire to Poll the Membership

• Preamble: Answers to this questionnaire will provide guidance for the initial stages of deciding on VSSA suitability. Please note that there are VSSA parameters to respect, such as 300 hrs/8 weeks, and that no VSSA is going to meet everyone’s preferences.
  
• 1- Would you prefer to work a VSSA over a standard shift schedule?
  
• 2- How important is your schedule in relation to your work/life balance: 1 (very) to 10 (not at all)?
  
• 3- Rate the following shifts in order of preference; 1 being most preferred.
  
• ***Include a list of shifts as part of your questionnaire!***
  
• 4- How important are getting Saturdays & Sundays off together?
  
• 5- Would you prefer rotating shifts or static shifts?

Process Map

Please refer to the following Process Map (which provides information on both the informal process and the informal process) to negotiate a VSSA.

• Download Process Map [PDF].

Frequently Asked Questions

1- Do all members in good standing at that work location vote to adopt or change the VSSA, or only those members who will work the VSSA?

A: It makes sense that all members who will be working on the schedule have the opportunity to vote on it, including members on leave.

2- What percentage of members is required to open an existing VSSA?

A: The parties who negotiate VSSA agreement include the Union and the Employer. There is no vote to open an agreement.

3- What percentage of members are required to ratify a new VSSA?

A: A simple majority. This is in line with CIU By-Law 16.

4- How does CIU recommend a vote be taken concerning a VSSA?

A: That is a decision for the Branch union representatives, taking into account what makes sense for the workplace so long as all affected members gets the opportunity to vote.

5- Can the local amend an existing VSSA without opening it?

A: Neither the union nor the employer can unilaterally make changes to the VSSA.

VSSA Examples

The following examples are provided to illustrate what a final VSSA schedule can look like. Note that the table below is not exhaustive, and some arrangements may no longer be in effect. This table is solely intended for our members to have a sampling of different Variable Shift Schedule Arrangements signed across the country. Some VSSA documents provided below are currently only available in their original official language.

Note: Use the horizontal scroll bar at the bottom of the table.