October 4, 2007

Union bargaining team proposes seniority rights

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.

Tens of thousands of federal workers have seniority rights for hours of work, including workers at Canada Post, Correctional Services Canada , Non-Public Defence Funds and the Senate, among others.

It's time we had the same at CBSA.

We are back at the bargaining table in October. We'll be sure to update you as things progress. If you have any questions, check with your Steward or a member of our bargaining team.

PSAC at CBSA
United for a Fair Contract

 For printable version.