[Tb-bargaining] TB Bargaining update: FB Bargaining Team Delivers Message at Bargaining Table

[Patrick Bragg]

CBSA/Treasury Board to provide responses to key bargaining demands at
the end of the month

Our elected FB Bargaining Team met with Treasury Board/CBSA from
January 28 to February 1, in an effort to bring the parties closer to a
new contract. At the outset of the session, our team expressed
frustration over Treasury Board*s position in the compensation study
that our Union withdrew from in December. Our team indicated that the
jobs that management was comparing our work to in the proposed study
demonstrated a fundamental lack of appreciation and respect for the work
that we do as enforcement workers.

Our team also indicated our frustration with CBSA/Treasury Board*s
lack of progress on the key issues that we have raised in this round. In
response, management expressed a commitment to take the time to discuss
the key issues with us in good faith. Over the course of the week, we
discussed job security in the context of the arming initiative,
alternative working arrangements, protection of bargaining unit work,
seniority rights and paid investigatory suspension language. We
indicated that other federal workers have these things and we deserve no
less.

We also discussed langauge ensuring safer working conditions for
enforcement officers. While no agreement was reached on these issues,
management committed to having responses on these issues when we return
to the table at the end of the month.

Date set for Labour Board hearing regarding Unfair Labour Practice
charge

Last fall our union filed an Unfair Labour Practice charge against
CBSA/Treasury Board over management*s communications concerning the
arming initiative and job security, including the Intranet posting from
last summer. We have received word from the Labour Relations Board that
it will be hearing our complaint in proceedings to be held March 27 and
28 in Ottawa. We will be sure to update as things progress.

We are back at the bargaining table February 26. If you have any
questions, follow up with your Shop Steward or a member of our
Bargaining Team, or go to the PSAC web site at http://www.psac-afpc.org
or the CEUDA web site at www.ceuda.ca.

PSAC at CBSA - United for a Fair Contract