PSAC members stepped up to deliver the government’s massive response to COVID-19 in record time.
Yet the government continues to delay talks for a new contract for nearly 140,000 federal public service workers.
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The PSAC-CIU bargaining team representing the Border Services (FB) group met with Treasury Board/CBSA the week of February 25 for a second negotiating session towards a new collective agreement.
In light of CBSA’s February 27 ‘Pink Shirt Day’ initiative to raise awareness about harassment in the workplace, the bargaining team reminded CBSA and Treasury Board that there are serious problems with abuse of authority and harassment by management in CBSA workplaces across the country. Considering these serious, ongoing problems, the union is looking for much greater protections against harassment from CBSA management in the next contract.
The bargaining team asked CBSA about its plans on telework and presented formal proposals for new collective agreement articles on the matter. PSAC-CIU has been pushing for years for greater access to teleworking opportunities for Trade Compliance officers and other non-uniformed personnel.
The team also reminded CBSA that, under the law, the Agency must consult the union and gain the union’s consent before moving forward with any changes in the current terms and conditions of employment. The Agency has effectively ignored the Treasury Board policy on telework for many years.
The union proposed a 93% top up for the new 18-month maternity and parental leave option introduced by the government in 2017. The employer rejected this but the bargaining team indicated it will continue maintaining this proposal.
Click here to review PSAC-CIU’s package of proposals as well as those of the employer.
The next negotiating session will be held the week of April 8. For more information visit psacunion.ca/fb
The original version of this article was first posted on the PSAC website.
The Liberal government tabled a series of offensive counter-proposals in the latest talks between the Union and Treasury Board. After months of Government delays and insulting offers, PSAC bargaining teams representing 90,000 federal public service workers have declared impasse and filed for a Public Interest Commission (PIC) to help negotiations move forward.
The Government proposed to increase wage rates by only 0.75% per year for 4 years, well below the rate of inflation, and refused to make the increase retroactive to the start of the term of the collective agreementIn addition, they requested the new agreement only take effect 365 days after it is signed by both parties, amounting to a two-year wage freeze for PSAC members.
“It’s outrageous that the Trudeau government won’t even come to the table with a serious offer after our members have been waiting three years to get paid correctly under Phoenix,” said Chris Aylward, PSAC National President. “We’ve tried to get this government to bargain in a fair and respectful manner – it’s clear we’ve reached impasse.”
“Prime Minister Trudeau promised a new relationship with public service workers – one of respect – but that couldn’t be further from what happened this week. This is a real betrayal.”
Treasury Board also ignored important demands for improvement in areas such as work-life balance, workload, leave provisions, and use of temporary workers.
Negotiations covering table-specific proposals took place from November 27 to 29 for the four bargaining groups: Program & Administrative Services (PA), Technical Services (TC), Operations Services (SV), and Education & Library Science (EB). Discussions around issues common to all teams were covered December 4 to 6.
“We’re angry, and we’re not going to let the Liberal government get away with this. Every day PSAC members show up to work not even knowing if they’re going to get paid properly – they deserve working conditions that reflect that dedication, as well as the value of their work. We won’t back down until they get it.”
A version of this article was first posted on the PSAC website.
