November 15, 2007

PSAC Bargaining Units with Treasury Board (PA, SV, TC, EB, FB)

WHY NOT US ?

TB/CBSA Insists on Inferior Working Conditions for Workers

The week of November 5, our FB Bargaining Team met with Treasury Board/CBSA for four days in an effort to bring us closer to a new collective agreement.  Over the course of the session, we discussed (among other things) hours of work, the Arming Initiative, Alternative Working Arrangements, Vacation Leave provisions and our demand that no employees working in enforcement be required to work alone.  At the table, the employer continued to insist on reducing standards for CBSA workers, including proposals that would give management the sole authority to create work schedules, reduce the amount of vacation that can be carried over and provide virtually no notice to employees when work schedules are to be changed.  Our team rejected these proposals and made it clear that the rollbacks being proposed by Treasury Board are not in the interests of CBSA, our members or the Canadian public.

Our Team Demands Fairness

During the session we also reiterated the importance of having contract language that provides full job security in the context of the Arming Initiative, Alternative Working Arrangements and fair work scheduling that allows employees  a say in when they work.  The employer agreed to none of these.

What we are asking for is simple: That CBSA workers are afforded the same  standards that are found in other worksites across this country.  If tens of thousands of federal workers have a voice in their hours of work and have their years of service respected, why shouldn't we?  If Canada Post workers have full job security, why shouldn't we in the context of the Arming initiative?  If Alternative Working Arrangements have worked for years and are in effect now for certain federal employees, why shouldn't we all have access to them?

We work hard.  We ensure that Canada's communities are secure.  We deserve better.

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.  Be sure to consult our web site for current and previous updates at: http://psac.com/bargaining/units/treasury_board/fb-e.shtml.  

PSAC at CBSA
United for a Fair Contract

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