Tag Archives: Strike

Treasury Board strike, day 2: Picket lines filled with solidarity and enthusiasm

Halifax, Gatineau, Ottawa, St. Stephen, Niagara Falls, Dartmouth, Sherbrooke, St. John’s, Fort Frances, Sault Ste Marie… striking PSAC and CIU members were out in force all over the country on this second day of general strike for PA, EB, TC and SV units. Rather inclement weather in some places did not deter members from exercising their right to strike and call on the employer to negotiate fairly at the bargaining table, and photos of enthusiastic picket lines have continued to come in from communities all over.

The CIU National Board of Directors also joined striking workers on the picket lines at 90 Elgin street and on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa, to support, energize, listen to and stand with PSAC members from all horizons. Speaking to the crowd on Parliament Hill, CIU National President Mark Weber was unequivocal: Members all deserve much better, and the employer should be wary of not affording its most vulnerable workers the respect they’re owed.

See photos below.

Treasury Board strike, day 1: Members picket across the country, CIU NBoD joins in solidarity

On this first day of strike for PA, EB, TC and SV units at Treasury Board, members were active on picket lines across the country, showing the employer that they are ready to take action and continue fighting until the government comes back to the table with as fair offer. Photos have poured in from cities from coast to coast — Halifax, Sarnia, Edmundston, Calgary, Gatineau, Ottawa, St. Catharines… the list goes on!

Meeting in Ottawa this week, the CIU National Board of Directors, including CIU National President Mark Weber, also joined striking members on the picket line today, along with PSAC National President Chris Aylward and PSAC NEVP Sharon DeSousa, standing in solidarity with all TB workers, and clearly signaling to Treasury Board that an affront to one is an affront to all. By refusing to bargain fairly at the table, the employer hurts us all.

See photos below.

What happens at 12:01 a.m. on April 19, and additional information regarding the strike, picket lines, and essential services

If a deal isn’t reached by 9 p.m. Eastern Time on April 18 — today — PA, EB, SV and TC members, along with CRA employees, will go on strike beginning at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time. As per PSAC, non-essential shift workers who are at work at that time should walk off the job and prepare to join a picket line when available.

For shift workers in other time zones, that also means walking off the moment a strike is declared. For example, non-essential workers in British Columbia who are at work at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time would walk off at 9 p.m . on April 18.

Essential services agreements will also be coming into force at that time.

What work do I have to do during a strike?

If you’re in a non-essential position (PA, EB, TC, SV), you do not perform any work during a strike. Instead, report to the nearest picket line.

If you’re in an essential position (PA, EB, TC, SV), you should only perform essential duties. Ask your manager for a list of essential duties. If they do not provide one, for every task you are ordered to perform, ask your manager (in writing) if this task is essential. If they say yes (or tell you that all tasks are essential), ask (in writing) why this task is essential for the safety and security of the public (you can use the following wording: As a worker deemed essential, I must only perform essential duties. Please provide me with the reason why the requested duty is essential to the safety and security of the public). Always loop in your Branch President.

If you are a code 2 or 3 and management is asking you to come in, please ensure:

Code 2: That you are only replacing the Code 1 person you have been identified to replace (ask your Branch President for more information)
Code 3: That you ask the employer what specific conditions have been met for you to be called in (make sure to inform your Branch President if the employer fails to provide you with a suitable explanation)

See the PSAC strike FAQ for more information on essential services codes.

If you’re part of the FB group, you are not on strike. You may however be asked to perform duties that are not usually assigned to you. If you are ordered to perform duties outside of your usual duties, you should ask management to show you where these duties are in your job description. If they are not in your job description, and fall outside of your regular duties, ask for the order in writing, inform a union representative, obey the order now, and grieve later.

Finding and joining a picket line: When to show up, and a note about barcodes

The PSAC picket line finder is now live. Some things to keep in mind, in addition to already available information:

If you cannot register electronically and haven’t received a barcode for strike pay, but have a PSAC membership card, bring your card with you when you attend a picket line. The barcode on the back of the card is the same that would have been sent to you by email.
Unless otherwise indicated, picket lines will usually be active for the day. You do not need to arrive at the picket line at the time the picket line starts, but you do need to stay 4 hours to qualify for strike pay. For example, if you register for a picket line that starts at 8 a.m. and end at 4 p.m., you can arrive at 10 a.m., but should stay until 2 p.m. to qualify for strike pay. And don’t forget to check in and check out!
New employees who have not started paying union dues can still report to a picket line, where they’ll be able to sign a card. They may be asked to verify which Branch they belong to, either by calling a Branch representative, or by providing suitable documentation (such as a hiring letter).

As always, make sure to keep an eye on the PSAC Treasury Board Strike FAQ.

Attending a picket line and receiving strike pay: What to do if you cannot register electronically

In some cases, usually due to being recent hires or having changed department in the last few months, members may be unable to complete parts or all of the PSAC electronic registration process, including updating their contact information. While this is frustrating, in no way does it prevent striking members from participating in picket lines and receiving strike pay. Here’s what to do:

When attending a picket line, bring a copy of your pay stub (and, if you have filled an electronic membership card or eRand card, any confirmation or screenshot showing you have completed the form). You will be manually added to the strike system and sent a bar code to be able to receive strike pay.
Make sure a picket captain is aware of your presence and have them note your attendance. Keep a record of the picket captain’s name, and of the time you arrived (and departed) the picket line.
If you cannot register electronically and haven’t received a barcode for strike pay, but have a PSAC membership card, bring your card with you when you attend a picket line. The barcode on the back of the card is the same that would have been sent to you by email.
New employees who have not started paying union dues can still report to a picket line, where they’ll be able to sign a card. They may be asked to verify which Branch they belong to, either by calling a Branch representative, or by providing suitable documentation (such as a hiring letter).
Loop in your Branch President, who’ll be able to assist you.

See the PSAC TB strike FAQ for more information on strike pay and picket line attendance.

Treasury Board strike: Don’t fall for management’s misinformation, join a picket line!

PSAC has announced that Treasury Board and Canada Revenue Agency units are set to strike on April 19 if a deal isn’t reached by 9 p.m. ET on April 18.

We know that our members have questions about the strike process, so please take time to review the PSAC Treasury Board strike FAQ, as it is frequently updated with new content, including important information on:

What to do in the event of a strike
Where to report to join a picket line
The consequences of crossing a picket line for striking workers
The consequences of continuing to work, even remotely, for workers in non-essential positions
What to do if you’re travelling for work
What to do if you’re on an acting assignment
Etc.

Workers in non-essential positions: See you on the picket line!

In the event of a strike, workers in non-essential positions must not report to work, including remotely. Once a strike is declared, do not have any communication with your manager unless you are in an essential position (or are asked to return employer equipment). Do not report to your manager, do not take phone calls from work, and do not answer work emails. Don’t cross picket lines — either at a physical office, or by continuing to work from home.

Instead, use the PSAC picket line finder (link to come) and join the nearest picket line. Members who are unable to attend a picket line (due to being farther than 100km from a picket line, or for other reasons) can request an accommodation to perform alternate strike duties by contacting their PSAC regional office.

As per PSAC, members who cross the picket line by performing work for the employer could face fines and suspension of membership privileges. PSAC’s Constitution outlines disciplinary action that can be taken against members, including “a fine that equals the amount of daily renumeration earned by the member, multiplied by the number of days that the member crossed the picket line, performed work for the employer, or voluntarily performed struck work.”

See the PSAC Treasury Board strike FAQ for more information.

Beware of misinformation

We’ve heard from several members about attempts by some managers to spread misinformation about what workers (both essential and non-essential) should do. Whether you’re in an essential or a non-essential position, here are some examples of what your manager might tell you to do, when in reality, you should not do any of the following during a strike:

Calling in every morning before the time you would normally be starting work
Attending meetings before the time you would normally be starting work
Calling/going on MS Teams before your regular start time, under threat of being marked absent and not paid
Entering your strike leave on a daily basis
Choosing to work or be on strike
If non-essential, logging into the work computer for any reason while on strike
Checking-in with your manager for attendance twice a day
Picketing for 4 hours but working the rest of the time
Performing non-essential tasks, or tasks/duties that are not a part of your regular job
Etc.

If your manager is telling you do to any of the above, they’re telling you to be a scab. Don’t do it.

What you can — and should — do:

If you’re in an essential position: Report to work and perform essential duties. Support strike efforts outside of your scheduled work period.
If you’re in a non-essential position: Don’t report to work. You’re on strike. Join (don’t cross) a picket line.

If your manager attempts to share misinformation or tries to intimidate you, make note of it (forward emails to yourself at home, take screenshots of messages, etc.) and send this information to your Branch President and PSAC Regional Office.

For more information, see Treasury Board strike mandate – CIU complementary FAQ and, as always, the PSAC TB strike FAQ.

Some information adapted from content previously published by PSAC.