News release

May 19, 2004

Classification issues causing unrest at the border

OTTAWA – The frustration of Customs Officers with the federal government's refusal to deal with outstanding classification issues is spilling over into the workplace.

The Customs Officers are members of the Customs Excise Union Douanes Accise (CEUDA), a component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada.   According to CEUDA National President Ron Moran, “Customs Officers have been waiting for over four years for the government to recognize the changes in their jobs.   They're angry and fed up with the government's endless, empty promises and they're telling their employer they won't put up with it anymore.”

In 2000, the jobs of Customs Officers changed significantly as a result of a law giving designated Officers the powers and obligations of peace officers under the Criminal Code.   These Customs Officers now have the power to arrest without warrant and to enforce the provisions of the Criminal Code in a number of areas including impaired driving offences.

“These additional powers and responsibilities are not reflected in the classification or pay of Customs Officers,” says Moran.   “Our members have already voted strongly in favour of strike action.   If the employer continues to ignore this issue, the public can be sure that our members will be ready to take action at the first opportunity.”  

At the time of the change in duties, Customs Officers were employed by the former Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA).   The CCRA was at the end point of a classification review when the Customs Officers and other Customs workers were transferred to the new Canada Border Services Agency on December 12, 2003.

According to Moran, “CCRA was on the verge of instituting a new classification system.   The union expected to be negotiating new pay scales with the employer in January 2004.   The transfer to the CBSA put an end to that process.”

“Our members are telling us that this has dragged on long enough,” says Moran.   “Their frustration is bound to show up in the workplace and have an impact on the service being provided.   It's hard to be motivated to put in long hours in a difficult and often hazardous job when your employer refuses to recognize the work you do”.

While a new review of these jobs is being initiated by the recently created Public Service Human Resources Management Agency of Canada, the process is just beginning and won't be completed until the fall of 2004 at the earliest.   It also appears that the government has already decided what the new classifications will be even though they have yet to properly evaluate the jobs.

“Recruitment and retention are already problems for the CBSA,” indicates Moran.   “The goverrnment recruits and trains Customs Officers only to see them leave to join police forces and other law enforcement agencies that pay considerably more for the same type of work and responsibility.   This isn't going to make the situation any better.”

PSAC National President Nycole Turmel has written to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness McLellan, Treasury Board President Alcock and President of the Privy Council Coderre asking them to expedite the process before an election is called.   “I think all candidates can expect to find our members raising this issue on the doorstep and at candidates' meetings throughout the election if this issue is not resolved,” warns Moran.

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For information:
                            Ron Moran, CEUDA National President,
                            (613) 723-8008, ext. 301

32-190504