Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Bargaining proposal calls for protections for all Union members at CBSA through arming implementation

Our FB Bargaining Team met with Treasury Board/CBSA for four days the week of October 9 in an effort to bring us closer to a new collective agreement. At the outset, our team expressed disappointment and frustration over CBSA’s communications to Union members over the summer regarding the Arming Initiative, including management’s Intranet postings and direct discussions with our members. We reminded the Employer that these actions on the part of CBSA represent both a violation of labour law and a barrier to constructive negotiations. In response to CBSA’s position, our team tabled a bargaining demand calling for full job security for every member of our union at CBSA. Treasury Board/CBSA refused to make any job security commitments at the bargaining table. We are holding to our demand.

CBSA is being reckless and irresponsible in threatening potential job loss over the implementation of the Arming Initiative. Our hope is that the Employer will do the right thing, return to the bargaining table next month and work with our team to ensure that all PSAC members at CBSA are guaranteed full job security under our new contract as firearms are introduced.

Both parties are waiting to hear from the Public Service Labour Relations Board regarding hearing dates for our Unfair Labour Practice charge against Treasury Board/CBSA regarding their Arming Initiative communications to Union members last summer.

Alternative Working Arrangements (AWA) language on the table

In addition to the Arming Initiative, we discussed a number of other issues, including students, sick leave accrual and AWA’s. On AWA’s, our team has proposed that, where operationally feasible, employees should be able to carry out assigned work away from the Employer’s premises. This has been the practice in Trade, Immigration and elsewhere for years. It should be reinstated where it has worked in the past and protected where it is the practice now. Also, the Employer withdrew its proposal to make changes to our contract regarding International Escorts.

We are back at the bargaining table next month. We’ll be sure to update as things progress. If you have any questions, follow up with your Shop Steward or a member of our Bargaining Team.