Bargaining Team continues to demand parity with other federal enforcement workers

The FB bargaining team met with Treasury Board and CBSA representatives in Ottawa the week of October 3 to continue negotiations for a new contract.

Talks over the course of the four days focussed on FB bargaining proposals concerning pension reform, VSSA and non-VSSA scheduling, seniority rights and severance.

PSAC proposals

Pension reform

• There needs to be a commitment from the CBSA and Treasury Board to support a “twenty-five and out” retirement plan for all members of the FB bargaining unit. 

• There is nothing in the law that precludes CBSA/Treasury Board from committing to support a change in legislation, one that would provide FB workers the same retirement regime as other enforcement workers in the public service.

• FB bargaining team is holding the position that members of the FB bargaining deserve the same retirement provisions as other federal enforcement workers. 

Employer response

• No interest in pursuing such an initiative, refuse to address the issue

• Only Parliament can change pension legislation

VSSA and non-VSSA workers

There was considerable discussion about scheduling, and seniority rights for both VSSA and non-VSSA workers, both in the context of hours of work and vacation scheduling. 

Severance

• On the last day of negotiations, management proposed to end all accrual of severance for the purposes of voluntary termination. 
• We indicated we have no interest in ending severance accrual for workers in the FB bargaining unit.

Next bargaining session

• The week of November 15, 2011

Information

Updates will be provided as things progress.  If you have any questions, speak with a member of our team or go to: www.psac-afpc.org/bargaining/units/treasury_board/fb-e.shtml