Workforce Adjustment and term positions
CEIU members provide critical public services. We process pensions, assist newcomers and support Canadian families and businesses.
Now more than ever, solidarity and collective support are essential. As we navigate political and economic uncertainty, we must stand together to protect not only our jobs but also the vital services our communities rely on.
Our priority is to support one another through these challenges. By staying informed and engaged, we strengthen our ability to advocate for fair workplaces and a resilient public service.
We encourage you to attend information sessions, learn about your rights, and connect with your union for support—because together, we are stronger.
Workforce Adjustment
Workforce adjustment (WFA) is the term used to describe a process for reducing indeterminate positions in the core federal public service, agencies, and separate employers.
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced in January 2025 that it is imposing workforce adjustment on hundreds of CEIU members.
Indeterminate employees have job protections in place thanks to union members who fought hard during a 1991 national strike. Since then, WFA has been expanded and enhanced through successive rounds of collective bargaining.
These protections are enshrined in the Workforce Adjustment Appendix (WFAA), a critical component of our members’ collective agreement.
CEIU has developed resources and held information sessions to inform members of their rights under the WFAA.
WFA information session for IRCC members
Our next information session for IRCC members takes place on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. (EST). If you are an IRRC member and have not received an invitation in your personal email address, please contact: [email protected]
Resources:
-
Workforce Adjustment: A Brief Introduction
-
PSAC Workforce Adjustment webpage
-
Workforce Adjustment: A guide for PSAC members in the core public service
Term positions
Federal departments, including IRCC and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), are implementing a “stop the clock” on term rollovers. This means that term employees will no longer be able to accumulate time towards obtaining an indeterminate job until otherwise notified.
We have thousands of members who are term employees across the country, and we are advocating for them at national tables with the employer.
- “CEIU denounce IRCC’s lack of consultation on term rollovers” (Oct. 18)
- “ESDC ‘stop the clock’ a serious concern for union” (Jan. 22)
Sign up to get involved
People rely on a strong public service every day, and our members continue to deliver. We will defend the public service in the upcoming round of bargaining, in the federal election, and in our campaigns.
The strength of our union relies upon an active and engaged membership.
Sign up to get involved in upcoming campaigns.
What we are doing
- Representing our members on departmental workforce adjustment committees
- Pushing for comprehensive supports including financial planning assistance, internal and external job opportunities, and enhanced mental health resources for members
- Tracking and monitoring job cuts in collaboration with PSAC
- Over 160 stewards from union locals across the country participated in WFA training to support members
What you can do
-
Know your rights: for indeterminate employees, understand your WFA entitlements and how-to speak to the employer
-
Access job opportunities: the employer has a responsibility to provide career and financial resources to those impacted by WFA
-
Take care of yourself and your fellow union members: we have called on the employer to expand mental health supports beyond the Employee Assistance Program. We have also put together a list of additional resources for you.
Notice: We have become aware of some misinformation regarding the distribution of affected letters. We want to assure our members that we continue to advocate for IRCC to follow the collective agreement and Workforce Adjustment Directive, which clearly outlines the employer’s responsibility to inform affected employees. If you have any questions or concerns, we encourage you to reach out to your IRCC management team as the first point of contact.
Still have Questions?
Your union local is your primary point of contact. Find your union local here >>
Your elected National Executive members are also available:
National Vice-President, National Capital Region
Daniel Carriere
[email protected]
Alternate National Vice-Presidents, National Capital Region
Vanessa Sandsmark (2nd)
National Vice-Presidents, Ontario
Julie Nanquil
[email protected]
Lisa Prescott
[email protected]
National Vice-Presidents, Quebec
Judith Côté
[email protected]
Annik Beamish
[email protected]
National Vice-President for Women’s Priorities, Eastern Canada
Carolyn Locke
[email protected]
National Vice-President for Women’s Priorities, Western Canada
Lynda MacLellan
[email protected]
National Vice-President, Newfoundland and Labrador – Nova Scotia
Debbie Morris
[email protected]
National Vice-President, New Brunswick – Prince-Edward-Island
Kelli Reid (Interim)
[email protected]
National Vice-President, Manitoba & Saskatchewan
Keri D’Avignon-Nault
[email protected]
National Vice-President, Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut
Sabino Spagnuolo
[email protected]
National Vice-President, British Columbia and Yukon
Jaspinder Badesha
[email protected]
National Vice-President, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Shauna-Lee Dupuis
[email protected]
National Vice-President, Immigration and Refugee Board
Vivian Ike
[email protected]
National Vice-President, Human Rights Issues
Mofizul Islam
[email protected]
Black History Month: Learn, Understand, and Act
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.
Read more
Grievance update SMSM - 1102 (CR-04/PSDC) with Service Canada (ESDC) – January 2025
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).
Read more
ESDC ‘stop the clock’ a serious concern for union
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.
Read more
Significant job cuts to immigration harm public
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.
Read more
Holiday greetings from your CEIU National President and National Executive Vice-President
As we approach the holiday season, we want to extend warm wishes to every CEIU member, along with your friends and family.
Read more
Grievance update SMSM - 1102 (CR-04 / CPPS) with Service Canada (ESDC) - December 2024
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).
Read moreTaking action to address gender-based violence
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.
Read more
CEIU members set priorities ahead of bargaining
The 2024 CEIU Collective Bargaining Conference was held from November 26th-27th in Montreal.
Read moreCalling for change on International Day of Persons with Disabilities
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.
Read more