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.

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Our proposal: a fair, objective standard for assigning shift work

During the lead-up to bargaining, members across the country raised concerns about the lack of clear, objective standards with respect to how employees are assigned work hours. In some parts of the country, who works when is mutually agreed upon. In other cases, management assigns the shifts.

To deal with the issue our team has brought a bargaining demand to the table that proposes a clear, transparent and fair standard for the allocation of shifts. While VSSA’s and the hours for shifts would remain the same as under our current contract, under our proposal individuals would bid on the shift or line they wish to work for all shift-based work schedules at CBSA. The shift or line would be assigned by seniority, rather than management making the decision unilaterally.

Recent problems at Pearson and P.E. Trudeau airports in Toronto and Montreal have only served to reinforce the fact that we need a fair system around the allocation of shifts. Seniority is recognized in worksites around the world as the only way to ensure fairness and objectivity. Our years of service with our employer should be respected.

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Important changes to the PSHCP!

This issue of the bulletin outlines important changes to the PSHCP that take effect April 1, 2006. These changes to the plan are the result of a two year collaborative effort between the Treasury Board Secretariat, Bargaining Agents and the Federal Superannuates National Association under the auspices of the National Joint Council.

The changes include

• the introduction of some brand new benefits,
• a number of upgrades,
• some changes to plan provisions to increase flexibility, and
• new contribution rates for pensioners.

Contents of the bulletin include

• Introducing new benefits
• Introducing benefit upgrades
• Introducing changes to plan provisions
• A few words on Pay Direct Drug Cards (PDDC)
• Questions and Answers

A copy will be mailed to all members covered by the plan, it is also available for download here .

Canadian border services agents returned to work early Saturday at three Vancouver-area crossings, a day after they walked off the job over an ongoing safety dispute.They left their posts on Friday after their U.S. counterparts warned them that an armed fugitive might be headed their way.

Their labour contract allows the unarmed officers to leave their posts if they believe they’re in danger.

Read the rest of this story at cbc.ca

VANCOUVER — The Conservative justice critic says the party will stand behind its promise to give guns to Canadian border guards.Vic Toews’ pledge comes a day after two murder suspects from California made a run for the border south of Vancouver before they were stopped in a shootout.

Toews says it’s just a matter of how soon the Canadian officers can be trained and the firearms issued.

His comments came as B-C Solicitor General John Les was calling on the new Tory government to arm border guards.

Toews says he was disturbed Canadian guards left their posts yesterday as the gunmen approached, but he understands because of the threat to their personal safety.

Read more at ctv.ca