FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION June 4, 2015
FRONT-LINE CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION OFFICERS RALLY TO DEFEND THEIR CHARTER RIGHT OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
ST. STEPHEN, NB – Members of the Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) will be organizing a BBQ and rally in front of their local Conservative MP’s office, John Williamson, calling him to respect their Charter right of collective bargaining.
“We work hard as federal law enforcement personnel to keep our borders and communities safe. We call on the Harper government to respect our Charter rights, respect the work that we do and negotiate with us in good faith.” said André Beaulieu, third National Vice-President of CIU.
“Bill C-59 is not a done deal. Our Union is going to the Courts to seek redress, and will be filing an unfair labour practice complaint against Treasury Board for circumventing our collective agreement and labour law.” said Jeannie Baldwin, Regional Executive Vice-President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada – Atlantic Region.
DATE: Friday, June 5, 2015
TIME: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
PLACE: 207 Milltown Blvd. St. Stephen, NB (Former St. Stephen Duty Free)
Background facts:
• The government tabled its Budget Implementation Act (Bill C-59) on May 7, 2015.
• The Bill will circumvent the Public Service Labour Relations Act as well as ongoing negotiations.
• The Bill authorizes Treasury Board to modify collective agreements to remove sick leave and impose a short term disability plan outside of collective agreements.
The Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) is a component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), which represents Canada’s Front-Line Customs and Immigration Officers. CIU also represents Investigation, Intelligence and Trade Customs Officers, Immigration Inland Enforcement and Hearings Officers, as well as all support staff – all of whom work at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
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Contact:
Sébastien Bezeau, Regional Political Communications Officer, PSAC, (cell) 902.266.8589