Tag Archives: FB

Get ready to take action: FB members vote 96% in favour of strike action

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The ballots have been counted, and you’ve given our union an overwhelming strike mandate to take job action and show this employer we mean business.

This comes as no surprise. You’ve been without a collective agreement since 2022. Your wages have stalled, and the cost-of-living has risen, yet the Canada Border Services Agency and Treasury Board still aren’t prepared to negotiate a fair agreement, and continue to demand concessions at the bargaining table.

You’ve shown your resolve, and your employer is now fully aware that you’re prepared to do whatever it takes to fight for a fair collective agreement that secures fair wages in line with other law enforcement and public safety workers across the country, flexible telework options, stronger job security, protections against contracting out, and equitable 25-and-out retirement benefits.

Taking job action is always a last resort, but the results of the vote – 96% in favour – show that you’re prepared to take action to demand a fair contract.

Together, we have a lot of power. Our strike in 2021 brought commercial cross-border traffic nearly to a standstill, causing chaos at ports of entry across the country.

Unless they want to see that happen again, Treasury Board and CBSA better be prepared to come to the table with an offer that addresses our key issues.

Our FB bargaining team is committed to reaching a fair contract that protects our members and makes CBSA a better place to work. We have made it clear to the Trudeau Liberal government that our negotiations must be a top priority, and the window to avert a strike is closing quickly.

Mediation sessions are scheduled to begin on June 3, and we expect the Public Interest Commission report to be released shortly before that. We will be in a legal strike position seven days after the report is released – meaning we should be prepared to take job action in June if a deal isn’t reached.

Contact your Branch President or PSAC regional office to find out how you can join mobilization activities to keep the pressure up on the employer and this government.

Please make sure you keep your contact information up to date and watch for more information as we move forward.

Together we can – and we will – win the fair collective agreement that you deserve.

Always in solidarity,

Chris Aylward
PSAC national president

Mark Weber
Customs and Immigration Union national president

This article was originally posted on the PSAC website.

Workers at CBSA vote overwhelmingly in favour of strike action, border disruptions possible over summer

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More than 9,000 members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada working for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) have secured an overwhelming strike mandate which could lead to significant disruptions to the flow of goods, services and people at Canadian ports of entry a as the busy summer season approaches.

Members voted 96% in favour of taking job action during strike votes held April 10 to May 23, 2024.

“Taking job action is always a last resort, but this strong strike mandate underscores that our members are prepared do what it takes to secure a fair contract,” said Chris Aylward, PSAC National President. “Unless they want a repeat of 2021, Treasury Board and CBSA must be prepared to come to the table with a fair offer that addresses our key issues.”

Job action by CBSA personnel in 2021 nearly brought commercial cross-border traffic to a standstill, causing major delays at airports and borders across the country and a marathon 36-hour bargaining session to reach an agreement.

PSAC-Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) members at CBSA include border services officers at airports, land entry points, marine ports, and commercial ports of entry, inland enforcement officers, intelligence officers, investigators, trade officers, and non-uniformed headquarters staff.

Workers have been without a contract for over two years, yet Treasury Board and CBSA are still not prepared to negotiate an agreement that protects workers, and continue to demand concessions at the bargaining table.

Key issues in this round of bargaining include fair wages that are aligned with other law enforcement agencies across the country, flexible telework and remote work options, equitable retirement benefits and stronger protections around discipline, technological change and hours of work.

“Our members’ response to this vote has been unprecedented – we extended the voting period to meet the overwhelming demand from workers,” said Mark Weber, CIU National President. “We’re sending a clear message to the employer: we’re prepared to fight for fair wages, equitable retirement and to make CBSA a better place to work.”

Possible strike action in June

Both parties last met at a Public Interest Commission (PIC) hearing April 22. The Commission’s report is expected to be released before mediation sessions scheduled to begin June 3 to seek a resolution to the bargaining impasse. PSAC-CIU will be in a legal strike position following the release of the report.

“We’re committed to reaching a fair contract that protects workers and improves working conditions for our members,” said Aylward. “As summer travel season nears, we hope the Trudeau Liberal government is making these negotiations a top priority. The window to avert a strike is closing quickly.”

CBSA personnel deserve fair wages that are aligned with other law enforcement agencies across the country and an equitable retirement regime.

This article was originally posted on the PSAC website.

FB bargaining: Strike vote extended to May 23 due to overwhelming response

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FB group members have been attending strike vote sessions in unprecedented numbers. To ensure all members have an opportunity to vote, PSAC-CIU has added two more national strike vote sessions.

  • Tuesday, May 21: 10:00 a.m. ET  in English
  • Thursday, May 23: 12:00 noon ET  in French

The voting period closes May 23 at 10:00 p.m. ET.

It’s not too late. Show the employer you mean business.

A strong strike vote sends a signal to Treasury Board and Canada Border Services Agency  that you’re prepared to fight for a new collective agreement that includes fair wages, access to telework for non-uniformed members, stronger job protections, protections from contracting out, and equitable retirement benefits.

It also shows the employer that you are firmly behind your bargaining team and prepared to take job action to reach a fair deal. This gives the bargaining team even more leverage at the upcoming mediation sessions in June. It will help them win a good contract and push back against CBSA’s concessions.

All members who have not yet voted are strongly encouraged to attend one of these sessions.

How to vote

Voting credentials have been sent to your personal, non-work email or by mail to your home address if we don’t have a personal email on file. You will need these credentials to register for a strike vote session and cast your ballot. If you do not have your voting information, contact your PSAC regional office.

To ensure maximum participation, please share this information with coworkers who may not have voted yet.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

FB bargaining: Parties move to mediation, dates scheduled in June

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As mobilization at worksites across the country continues, the FB bargaining team will continue to push back against concessions and fight for fair wages and better working conditions. Mediation sessions have been scheduled starting on June 3.

The bargaining team is determined to win a fair agreement that includes fair wages, access to telework for non-uniformed members, stronger job protections, protections from contracting out, and equitable retirement benefits.

Treasury Board and CBSA are feeling the pressure

Everything you do in the workplace – no matter how big or small – to show the employer you support our bargaining team makes a difference as we push for a fair contract.

You have the right to wear union materials on the job

This is confirmed by two Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board decisions. You also have the right to be kept informed and take action during non-work time, before or after shifts and during paid and unpaid breaks and lunch periods.

Wearing baseball caps, nametags, or lanyards shows managers you support our bargaining demands and – after two years without a collective agreement – are prepared to take job action to reach a fair deal. Every action is reported up the chain and pushes CBSA to come to the table with a fair offer.

Public Interest Commission hearings complete

PSAC made a presentation to the Public Interest Commission (PIC) on April 10 and pushed back against employer concessions on April 22. In the coming weeks, the PIC board will provide a non-binding recommendation to reach an agreement.  While federal legislation provides for the PIC to issue its recommendation within 30 days of the hearing, the chair may extend that timeline.

PSAC will be in a legal position to take strike action seven days after receiving the report, if a strike mandate is received from the membership.

PSAC to pursue legal action over telework mandate

Telework is currently a critical issue at the table. Any changes to your terms and conditions of work while in bargaining directly undermines collective bargaining rights. In response to the announcement last week, PSAC has filed an unfair labour practice complaint.

Strike vote ongoing

PSAC and CIU continue to hold a nationwide strike vote for the FB group April 10 to May 15. It’s time to show CBSA that we are prepared to take job action to reach a fair deal.

Be sure to keep your contact information up to date to receive all the latest updates. If you have any questions, please contact your Customs and Immigration Union branch president or visit the CIU and PSAC websites.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

Watch — Retirement after 25 years of service for border personnel: Brian Masse asks the real questions

Brian Masse asking the real questions about the long-standing issue of retirement after 25 years of service for border personnel.

CIU is thankful to Brian Masse for asking the real questions in the House of Commons on behalf of our members. On April 30, the Windsor West MP brought up the long-standing issue of retirement after 25 years of service for border personnel, putting the spotlight on the lack of action by the federal government.

Treasury Board President Anita Anand seems happy to pretend this is something that’ll be resolved through the PIC process, claiming “all deals are best made at the table”.

Some facts:

  • Equitable retirement provisions — “25 and Out” — require legislative amendments. That doesn’t happen at the table, it happens in the House. TB President Anita Anand can make this happen now. It’s easy.
  • The PIC process takes place after parties reach impasse. Maybe Anita should ask the TB bargaining team what they were busy doing when our team was at the table.
  • The employer does not need to wait for the PIC recommendation to offer a fair deal and an actual wage proposal. They can choose to do the right thing now.

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