Holding an information picket?
Check out this guide that offers some starting do's and don'ts.

  P I C K E T S

National lobbying campaigns
Our wish is to ensure our members’ concerns are addressed, and that they are addressed on a timely basis. When this fails to take place or when the internal consultation process results in solutions which are not mutually acceptable, CEUDA’s officials must look for and make use of other ways to focus attention on issues of concern to CEUDA members. This should come as no surprise since lobbying is one of the more important activities elected union representatives undertake on behalf of the members they represent.

Sidearms	Making choices for safe work
D E T A I L S	Launched summer 2005
Customs Officers have been enforcing the Criminal Code at the border since July 24, 2000 and, as such, have been given a mandate by Government that is very similar to the mandate for Police Officers.  And while Police Officers go to unknown risks when enforcing the law, unknown risks come to Customs.  One other major difference is that Customs Officers are not provided sidearms to do this work.

 

Border Patrol	Filling a security gag at the border
D E T A I L S	Launched March 2005
There is a huge border security crisis in Canada.  While 1,600 vehicles blew by ports in 2004 and failed to report to Customs, more than 3,000 entered Canada illegally via just 2 of more than 200 unguarded roads.

 

CBSA Classification Reform	Proper classification sought
D E T A I L S	Events are being monitored
In spite of enthusiasm generated by creation of the CBSA , many members remained angry, frustrated, and disappointed with the employer that took ACS off the table and once again denied reclassifications so rightly deserved.  High level discussions began in February 2004 to explore solutions and resolve the matter.  Government had until May 14, 2004, to fix the mess it created but failed to come up with anything.

 

Respect for Customs Officers	Proper recognition and pay
D E T A I L S	Launched Sept 2000
Customs Officers carry out immigration work at the border but they're not supposed to refuse entry to immigrants.  That decision is supposed to be made by Immigration Officers.  Customs are paid at the PM-02 level, while Immigration are paid at the PM-03 level.  Customs Officers should not be doing immigration work because they're not paid for it.  CEUDA calls on Customs Officers to refer all non-Canadian travellers to Immigration Officers.

 

Student Customs Officers	Not on the frontline
D E T A I L S	Launched every spring
CEUDA wrote Parliamentarians in March 2001 and again in 2002.  The Minister and management of the CCRA were lobbied extensively with no marked results, especially since Sept 11.  Like every spring before Customs managers hire and exploit hundreds of students in Customs workplaces across Canada.  Even the Canadian Federation of Students joined CEUDA in the campaign to change Customs practices.  Students need to be fully trained, fully qualified, and fully empowered; and with that proper remuneration should be paid.

 

Border Security	The need for improvements
D E T A I L S	Launched Sept 2001
CEUDA lobbied non-stop to convince the Minister and Customs management to make significant changes to the way border security is delivered.  The media listened, Americans took notice, as did Opposition MP's and so did Cabinet Ministers other than the Minister in charge of Customs.

Criminal Code enforcement	Canada-wide implementation
D E T A I L S	Launched fall 2001
CEUDA lobbied management and Parliament extensively so that Customs Officers could have the right to enforce the Criminal Code at the border.  New legislation passed in May 1998, Customs Officers in Windsor, Ontario, were the first to be granted this new power, commonly referred to as Officer Powers in June 2000.  Officers at other points of entry and at major international airports across Canada continue to be granted the new powers as implementation unfolds.  CEUDA wants Customs Officers at all points of entry and at all international airports enforce the Code and CEUDA continues to lobby Customs management accordingly.

 

Protective vests	Safety for Customs Officers
D E T A I L S	Launched Jan 2001
Customs managers indicated they were going to issue 400 protective vests to Customs Officers in 2000 and other vests in subsequent years.  Managers in some locations held a lottery to determine which CO's would get vests - we tried to convince management through consultation that this was wrong and that they should issue vests to all CO's right away but they refused to agree with our request.  We  began a campaign to challenge management and forced them to reconsider.  Vests, the Minister of National Revenue announced on March 6, 2000, would be given to all CO's.

CCRA	Opposing implementation
D E T A I L S	Launched Jan 2001
We consulted until we were blue in the face, then fought it and fought it without restraint.  When all was said and done, the government just listened to its bureaucrats and did what the mandarins wanted.  Our members lost rights.  Here is what we did to protest our displeasure on Nov 1, 1999, Day 1 of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.