FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the union do for me?
What does the union need from me?
Why do I have to pay union dues, even if I’m not a full member of the union (Rand)?
Who is my union rep? How do I contact him/her?
How can I get involved in the union? Doing what?
How do I know the union is acting in my best interests?
Why sign a union membership application?
Why should I update my address with the union?
What is a Collective Agreement?
Which Collective Agreement applies to me?
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What does the union do for me?
Branch CIU stewards assists members to resolve issues with local management. They ensure that union communications are circulated to the members. They also explain or obtain clarification concerning the meaning or application of the Collective Agreement. They forward requests from members regarding bargaining demands.
The CIU national office represents members at the final level of the grievance process with the employer, the Canada Border Services Agency. The CIU handles such issues as job classification, adjudication and appeals.
The PSAC is our mandated bargaining agent with the federal government’s representative, Treasury Board. With the solidarity and participation of PSAC members, it obtains and maintains wages and rights for its membership. It manages many programs such as education, political action, human rights, and health and safety. It obtains benefits for its members such as better insurance and credit card rates.
For more information, visit the national Customs and Immigration Union and the Public Service Alliance of Canada’s websites.
What does the union need from me?
The union needs to know your concerns. Communication with your steward is beneficial to you, your co-workers and the union as a whole. The union needs your voice and your vote when it comes to Branch elections. You should attend the Annual General Membership meeting, where you can have your say in what we do and how we do it.
If you haven’t done so, sign your PSAC Membership Application Form and update it whenever you have a change of information.
For more information about becoming a steward or representative for the union, contact the president or your local steward.
Dues are calculated as a percentage of your wages and indicated on your pay stub.
Dues are allocated among the three union organizations working on the members’ behalf:
the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), as determined by the PSAC Constitution;
the national office of the Customs and Immigration Union (CIU), as determined by the CIU Convention or by local Branch; and,
your local Branch (NS) of the CIU as determined by the CIU Branch Rules.
Of the total amount deducted on your paycheck for union dues, $5.00 per month returns to the Branch, $2.00 of that goes into a special strike fund which assits members who are not considered essential employees. This helps them and their families cope with the financial burden that is placed on them.
Why do I have to pay union dues, even if I’m not a full member of the union (Rand)?
Union dues are collected from all non-excluded employees. This provides the financial support needed to ensure we have the ability to represent our members, but our local does not receive their $5.00/month. It all goes to the PSAC.
The Rand Formula is a landmark decision handed down by Supreme Court Justice Ivan Rand on January 29, 1946, following a 100-day strike by Ford auto workers.
“The Rand Formula is a form of union security whereby an employer deducts a portion of the salaries of all employees within a bargaining unit, union members or not, to go to the union as union dues”, the Canadian Encyclopedia notes.
The original formula was based on the assumption that the union is essential for all workers and must be responsible for them. By signing the PSAC Membership Application Form, you become a full member.
Strikes are the result of a breakdown in contract negotiations between union officials and the employer. During the negotiations, if the bargaining team feels that there is no possibility of reaching a settlement with the employer, a strike may be the only solution. The PSAC National President is the only person authorized to call a strike vote.
Who is my union rep? How do I contact him/her?
There is a list of your union representatives on the union bulletin boards at your workplace, as well as on the Contact page.
How can I get involved in the union? Doing what?
The level of your involvement depends upon how much time you want to spend volunteering. You can become an employee representative and post information on the union bulletin board, or distribute union information amongst your coworkers. You can become a steward and have a voice in the union and represent fellow members. You are welcome to attend a CIU NS branch meeting to see how we conduct business.
How do I know the union is acting in my best interests?
Union officials take an oath of office. We vow to endorse the aims and objectives of the CIU and the PSAC, to improve working conditions, to promote and protect the rights, interest and welfare of all members, and to obtain the best possible standards of wages, salaries, and other conditions of employment for all union members.
Why sign a union membership application?
Under the terms of your collective agreement, the employer deducts PSAC dues from the salary of every worker that we represent. As everyone in your occupational group or unit benefits equally from negotiated collective agreements, it is only fair that all contribute equally to support the bargaining agent.
You cannot vote on a tentative agreement reached on your behalf, or take part in any union vote unless you are a PSAC member in good standing. It is as simple as completing the PSAC Membership Application Form and returning it to us. Becoming a member allows you voice in the business of the union.
Why should I update my address with the union?
Even though you may have advised your employer of your new address, it is not communicated to the union. Updating your address with the union enables good communication in the event of important announcements. You can update it electronically by completing the PSAC Membership Application Form.
What is a Collective Agreement?
A Collective Agreement is the document outlining benefits and work conditions negotiated and agreed upon by the PSAC and the federal government. Collective Agreements are printed and distributed by your employer. The electronic version of your Collective Agreement can be obtained at Treasury Board.
Which Collective Agreement applies to me?
If your job classification is, AS, CM, CR, DA, IS, OE, PM, ST or WP, you are covered by the Program Administration (PA) Collective Agreement.
If your job classification is FB, you are covered by the Border Services (FB) Collective Agreement