Message from Rubina Boucher, CEIU National President, and Helen King, CEIU National Executive Vice-President.

The Canada Employment and Immigration Union is pleased to be able to offer up to five (5) $5,000.00 National Scholarships to CEIU members in good standing, their spouse, their common-law spouse (including same sex partners) and/or their dependents(s). Take note that a few scholarships are dedicated to persons who are part of equity groups.

Thousands of job cuts to the department of Immigration are causing delays in processing cases as the department this week announced an additional 300 job cuts and program spending cuts, with more on the horizon. 

The Canada Employment and Immigration Union would like to thank everyone who applied to CEIU’s 1st callout for the 2025 CEIU scholarships. We received over 300 applications!

We would like to congratulate the following recipients, who each received a $5,000 CEIU Scholarship:

December 10 is Human Rights Day, a day observed around the world to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

ESDC released communication today about the department's plans around Budget 2025. As part of that communication, they announced that workforce adjustment will be starting in the new year. At this point, we do not know how many positions or who will be affected, only that announcements will come in January. 

December 3 marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a time to recognize the contributions, experiences, and rights of workers living with disabilities—whether visible, invisible, permanent, or episodic. 

As indicated in the last update posted on our website in September 2025, the hearing of the policy grievance, filed on March 29, 2019, took place in person in Ottawa on Thursday, September 12, 2024, before the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS).

CEIU joins those across the world in marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence from November 25 to December 10.

Every year on November 20, we commemorate trans people who have lost their lives due to transphobic violence around the world. Between October 2024 and September 2025, there are 342 reports of trans people who have lost their lives due to violence.  

Brought to you in collaboration with the CEIU National Young Workers Committee.

Term freezes and workforce adjustment have created a climate of uncertainty for all our members.

Want to make sure you’re saving all you can on your auto insurance? Here are a few simple tips to help reduce your auto insurance premium and still get the coverage you need.

Brittany Anderson (she/her/elle) is a strong voice at Canada Employment and Immigration Union (CEIU), wearing a number of hats including:

The Canada Employment and Immigration Union is organizing in the face of significant program spending cuts and job cuts to the federal public service announced in Budget 2025.

The Canada Employment and Immigration Union (CEIU) denounce last week’s Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) decision to cut 250 jobs in the Passport program—a move that will affect timely and accessible service delivery that Canadians rely on.

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. This is a day for Canadians to acknowledge and reflect on the residential school system and to honour the healing journeys of survivors, their families, and their communities.

As indicated in the last update posted on our website in June 2025, the hearing of the policy grievance, filed on March 29, 2019, took place in person in Ottawa on Thursday, September 12, 2024, before the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS).

What is the Selection of Employees for Retention or Layoff (SERLO)?

The Selection of Employees for Retention and Lay-off (SERLO) is the management-designed process used to determine who is retained and who is laid off when the employer makes job cuts.

How does alternation work? 

Alternation is available to workers during certain stages of the workforce adjustment process. It allows an opting or surplus employee to remain employed by exchanging positions with a non-affected employee willing to leave, thereby preserving employment opportunities within the public service. It is the employer’s obligation to facilitate alternation, and management cannot arbitrarily or unfairly deny alternation requests. 

PSAC collective agreements have protections against job cuts. Employers must ensure that employees are treated equitably and given every opportunity to continue their careers. Below are some resources and answers to common questions about budget cuts and workforce adjustment.

In addition to these general FAQs, we have developed FAQs on the following topics:

• Alternation
  
  
• Selection of Employees for Retention or Layoff (SERLO)
  
  
• Opting
  
  

By Sean McNeill, CEIU National Union Representative

In a prior post, we situated the grievance form within the grievance process and discussed best practices when completing the details section.

In this article, we would like to share with you the essential information about grievance transmittals.

This Labour Day, as we celebrate the labour movement at events across the country, we want to send a clear message to the minority Liberal government: no to budget cuts.

Statement from Rubina Boucher, National President of the Canada Employment and Immigration Union (CEIU).

Congratulations to CEIU members who completed PSAC’s Union Leadership Development Program (ULDP) in 2024:

Canada Employment and Immigration Union is hiring an Administrative Assistant for a 12-month term, with the possibility of permanency.

On this 2nd callout for 2024, CEIU is pleased to be able to offer up to five (5) $5,000.00 National Scholarships to CEIU members in good standing, their spouse, their common-law spouse (including same sex partners) and/or their dependant(s). Take note that these scholarships are dedicated to persons who are part of equity groups.

The Canada Employment and Immigration Union is pleased to be able to offer up to fifteen (15) $5,000.00 National Scholarships to CEIU members in good standing, their spouse, their common-law spouse (including same sex partners) and/or their dependant(s). Take note that a few scholarships are dedicated to persons who are part of equity groups.

CEIU opposes the austerity measures announced by the Carney government and will fight any potential job cuts and cuts to public services.

The CEIU National Human Rights-Race Relations Conference took place in Calgary, Alberta from June 10^th-11^th under the theme “Fight Back! The Power of Unity in Diversity.” The conference was chaired by National Vice-President for Human Rights, Mofizul Islam.

The Canada Employment and Immigration Union would like to thank everyone who applied to CEIU’s callout for the 2024 CEIU scholarships.  We received over 300 applications.

PSAC has officially launched a new round of negotiations with Treasury Board for more than 120,000 members in the PA, SV, TC, and EB groups, including over 100,000 PA members responsible for program administration, information services, communications, secretarial services, office equipment, administrative services, welfare programs, clerical functions and data processing. 

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day which coincides with the summer solstice – the longest day of the year and a day that holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for many Indigenous Peoples.

The federal government needs to put people first by investing in the public service.

This is the message that we are stressing as National Public Service Week (NPSW) comes to a close on June 21.

As indicated in the last update posted on our website in April 2025, the hearing on the policy grievance filed on March 29, 2019, took place in person in Ottawa on Thursday, September 12, 2024, before the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS).

Under the theme “Strong. Proud. Independent.,” the Canada Employment and Immigration Union’s 2025 National Women’s Conference kicked off on May 25 with a powerful performance by the Montreal Steppers, setting the right energy to get the conference going.

June marks Pride Month, and CEIU proudly recommits itself to defending the dignity, safety and full participation of all 2SLGBTQIA+ people.

CEIU would like to congratulate Jenny-Lee McLaughlin on being elected 2^nd Alternate National Vice-President, Québec (A/NVP).

The federal government's decision to terminate 800 term employees from the Passport program effective June 27 contradicts its commitment to improve passport processing times and will directly impact service quality for Canadians.

National AccessAbility Week, held each year in the last week of May, aims to promote accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities in Canada. This year, AccessAbility Week takes place from May 25-31.

CEIU members have a chance to win $100 e-gift cards for sharing their Asian Heritage Month story. Members have until May 31 to share their story for a chance to win. Details here. Here’s a story from CEIU member Yu Chi.

On International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), observed on May 17, 2025, CEIU stands in solidarity with 2SLGBTQIA+ communities worldwide. 

Under the theme ‘Resilience,’ the CEIU 2025 National IRCC Conference was called to order by Shauna-Lee Dupuis, the National Vice-President (NVP) for IRCC and the Chair of the CEIU National IRCC Advisory Committee.

CEIU members recently participated in a “High Tea at Three” event and auction, raising nearly $4,000 in support of two transition houses in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

As indicated in the last update published on our site, February 2025, the hearing of the policy grievance, filed on March 29, 2019, did take place, in person in Ottawa, on Thursday, September 12, 2024, before the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS).

An election will be held for the position of 2^nd Alternate NVP for the Quebec Region starting at 9 a.m. on May 5 and ending at 4 p.m. (EST) on May 12. 

The return-to-office (RTO) transition is a significant adjustment, especially after an extended period of remote work. Many of our members have only recently begun to return to the office three days per week, while some members will begin working three days per week in office soon.

May 10 is Bear Witness Day, an annual observance dedicated to Jordan's Principle. The principle is a simple, powerful commitment: ensuring that First Nations children receive the services and supports they need—when they need them. It’s about putting children’s needs first, above all jurisdictional disputes and bureaucratic barriers.

May marks two important national movements to end gender-based violence, especially against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people.

In honor of Asian Heritage Month, we're excited to launch the #CEIUAsianHeritage contest!

April 28 is the annual National Day of Mourning, held on this day each year to honour those killed or injured at work and to commit to prevent future tragedies.

While Corrina Gavan is making a national impact through her involvement with Canada Employment and Immigration Union, one of her proudest achievements is seeing her son, Riley, thrive as they walk their own paths together.

The election for the position of Alternate National Vice-President, Immigration and Refugee Board (A/NVP, IRB) closed on March 31, 2025. CEIU would like to congratulate Diana Pereira on being elected A/NVP for IRB and thank Christine Gagnon for her interest in the position.

The election for the position of Alternate National Vice-President for Human Rights (A/NVP, HR) closed on March 31, 2025. CEIU would like to congratulate Corrina Gavan on being elected A/NVP, HR and thank all the candidates for their interest in the position.

CEIU is hereby calling for nominations for the position of 2nd Alternate National Vice-President for the Quebec Region. Deadline to apply is 4 p.m. (EST) on April 16^th, 2025.

Each year on March 21, we mark International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the anniversary of the day in 1960 when police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at an anti-apartheid rally.

Five years later, the United Nations adopted the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD); 2025 marks the 60^th anniversary of that groundbreaking document.

The CEIU National Women’s Committee is pleased to announce that the 2025 CEIU National Women’s Conference will be held from May 26 to 27, 2025 at Le Centre Sheraton Hotel, Montreal, QC. under the theme Strong. Proud. Independent. Registration and a meet and greet will be held starting at 7 p.m. (EDT) on May 25, 2025.

If you are a member in good standing and have self-identified with CEIU in one of the four equity groups, an email will be sent by SimplyVoting to your personal email address inviting you to vote for the position of Alternate National Vice-President for Human Rights.

If you are a PSAC-CEIU member in good standing and work for IRB, an email will be sent by SimplyVoting to your personal email address inviting you to vote for the position of Alternate National Vice-President for IRB.

Our commitment to racial equity and social justice remains year-round at CEIU. Black labour movement history in Canada is rich and vibrant, and the CEIU is pleased to share some key figures in our movement’s history – a movement that will continue well into the future. 

Be sure to also read our Black History Month statement, and take our quiz for your chance to win a prize. 

PSAC has filed a policy grievance against Treasury Board over Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) failure to follow the Workforce Adjustment Appendix when implementing its Voluntary Departure Program.

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a day of action. Its roots trace back to women workers who marched for better wages, safer conditions and the right to be heard. The 1912 Bread and Roses strike, led by immigrant women textile workers, demanded not only fair pay (“bread”) but also dignity and respect (“roses”). These women knew that real change happens when we stand together and history has proven them right.

Ongoing tariff disputes with the United States are threating economic stability and job security. CEIU members will feel these impacts, not just in their workplaces, but in their daily lives and communities.  

CEIU hosted its inaugural Health and Safety Conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, from Dec. 8 to 11, drawing 120 delegates, observers and guests from across the country under the theme, “Speak out for your health.” 

Some 60 members participated in the Canada Employment and Immigration Union’s first National Young Workers Conference, Dec. 12-13, 2024 in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. 

As indicated in the last update published on our site, January 2025, the hearing of the policy grievance, filed on March 29, 2019, did take place, in person in Ottawa, on Thursday, September 12, 2024, before the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS).

This International Women's Day, CEIU and your National women’s committee are proud to introduce our theme: Your Voice is Your Vote. Women’s voices shape our communities, our policies, and our futures, yet too often, our priorities are overlooked. This year, we are amplifying the issues that matter most to women:

CEIU is pleased to announce that the 2025 CEIU National IRCC Conference will be held on May 6 & 7, 2025 at the Toronto Marriott City Centre, at One Blue Jays Way, in Toronto, ON Registration and a meet and greet will be held starting at 7 p.m. on May 5, 2025.

CEIU is hereby calling for nominations for the position of Alternate National Vice-President for the Immigration & Refugee Board of Canada (IRB).

CEIU is hereby calling for nominations for the position of Alternate National Vice-President for Human Rights (HR) as well as for different positions on the CEIU Human Rights/Race Relations Committee (HR/RR):

Each year in February we mark Black History Month. This is a time to reflect on the important role that Black people and their communities have played in shaping our society, our workplaces, and the labour movement.

As indicated in the last update published on our site in 2024, the hearing of the policy grievance, filed on March 29, 2019, did take place, in person in Ottawa, on Thursday, September 12, 2024, before the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS).

The Canada Employment and Immigration Union is dismayed that federal budget restraint is spreading, with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) announcing that they are implementing a “stop the clock” on term rollovers and various staffing control measures across the department.

The announcement of 3,300 job cuts at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is a devastating blow to the public services that families, businesses and communities rely on.

As we approach the holiday season, we want to extend warm wishes to every CEIU member, along with your friends and family.

As indicated in the last update published on our site in September 2024, the hearing of the policy grievance, filed on March 29, 2019, did take place, in person in Ottawa, on Thursday, September 12, 2024, before the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS).

On this day, 35 years ago, 14 women were brutally killed at École Polytechnique simply because they were women. Each year, on December 6, in Canada we pause to remember those women and mourn all the women who have been killed due to gender-based violence.

The 2024 CEIU Collective Bargaining Conference was held from November 26th-27th in Montreal.

Each year on December 3, we recognize the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This is a day to raise awareness of disability issues and advance the rights, dignity, and well-being of people with disabilities.

We have been made aware of people receiving emails from fraudulent accounts pretending to be members of your national CEIU leadership.

As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, it’s time to start preparing your home for winter. Here are some tips to help you lower your heating bills and prevent some damage.

CEIU is hereby calling for nominations for the position of Alternate National Vice-President for IRCC.

Every year on November 20, the world marks Trans Day of Remembrance to honour trans people who have lost their lives to anti-trans violence.

If you have self-identified with CEIU in one of the four equity groups, an email will be sent by SimplyVoting to your personal email address inviting you to vote for the position of Alternate National Vice-President for Human Rights as well as for an Alternate Representative for Black members on the Human Rights and Race Relations Committee.

Clean water is a human right. This initiative comes in response to the government’s statement that they are not legally obligated to provide clean water to First Nations communities. This is unacceptable.

Mofizul Islam is National Vice-President, Human Rights. Born in May, Mofizul says he was naturally drawn to the labour movement and celebrates May Day along with his birthday.

The National Executive (NE) held their Fall meeting from October 8^th to 11^th,  2024 at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa.

We strongly denounce Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for its lack of consultation in announcing that IRCC will be stopping the clock on term rollovers to indeterminate status effective Oct 31.

As National Union Representatives (NURs), we enter the grievance process after it has been filed, and usually after the first hearing has occurred.

The government’s decision to mandate federal public service workers back into the office has been harmful to the well-being and work-life balance for many of our members. For workers with disabilities and those with caregiving responsibilities, the impacts have been significant.

Michelle Gallivan is a woman with many hats: union activist, Indigenous woman, Newfoundlander, mother, and leader. A formative experience was her six months on the picket line at telecommunications giant Bell Alliant, before becoming an employee in the federal public service.

On Sisters in Spirit Day, October 4, 2024, the Canada Employment and Immigration Union (CEIU) stands united in remembrance and advocacy for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S+).  

Each year on September 30, we mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. This is a solemn day for all Canadians to recognize the lasting impact that residential schools have had on Indigenous peoples in Canada, including survivors, their families and communities. We also remember and honour the memories of the children who did not survive – those who died due to abuse, neglect and trauma.

As Gender Equality Week approaches, we’re reminded of the importance of creating workplaces that are truly inclusive, equitable and responsive to the needs of all our members.

Vesna Lukic is President of Local 70705 and her highest priority is getting members involved in the union. Local 70705 is the Canada Employment and Immigration Union’s largest local, with over 2,000 members in the National Capital Region working for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The Treasury Board mandated all federal public service workers into the office at least three days per week effective September 9, 2024.

As indicated in the last update published on our site in July 2024, the hearing of the policy grievance, filed on March 29, 2019, did indeed take place, in person in Ottawa, this Thursday, September 12, 2024, before the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS).

On September 9th, the misguided Treasury Board mandate forcing all federal public service workers into the office three days a week comes into effect.