CEIU launches campaign for fair classification

Union to review positions at the IRB, Service Canada and CIC

CEIU is inviting the participation of all members in a sweeping review of classification across three federal departments. National President Jeannette Meunier-McKay has written directly to all members to enlist their active involvement in the campaign.

"We have won classification upgrades for many members in the past" said Meunier-McKay, "but more work is needed. Jobs are evolving quickly and members want to make sure their classification is keeping up."

Here is the letter describing the campaign – sign up to make your voice heard.

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Dear CEIU member,

Are you concerned about your classification?

Fairness in classification is what we expect, but it’s not always what we get. In many cases, changes at work mean that the classification no longer fits the job. In others, the classification has just never been right.

CEIU has won classification upgrades for our members in the past, but many members continue to have real concerns about their classification. Not surprisingly, delegates to our last national convention again focused on the importance of making gains in this key area.

In a recent on-line survey, we asked CEIU members about many topics, including classification. Here is the question we asked about work descriptions:

"Keeping in mind that a work description does not need to list each and every duty you perform, would you say the work description for your job is accurate?"

50% of our members told us their work description was not accurate, and this number was higher for those who had not been upgraded within the last two years.

Your classification level is based on your work description. If your work description is not accurate, your classification level can suffer. Developing accurate work descriptions is critical to winning classification upgrades, and this is where we are beginning our campaign.

First step: developing accurate work descriptions

You can help with developing an accurate work description in one of two ways.

1. If you want to participate in the review of the work description for your job, please complete the attached form and return it to the CEIU national office. We will identify a working group from among those members who express an interest in participating. If yours is a "national generic" position, the working group will have representation from across the country. Groups will be supported by CEIU’s professional staff and by classification experts.
2. If you want to keep up with the developments around your work description but do not want to participate in a working group, please complete the attached form and return it to the CEIU national office. We will invite your comments as the working group proceeds with its review and keep you updated on the progress made.

The next steps

Accurate work descriptions are the foundation for a proper classification rating. When the working groups have finished their review, we must have the employer recognize the changes that are needed. If required, the union will take work descriptions to adjudication where an independent third party – and not the employer – will decide on an accurate work description for your job.

With an accurate work description in hand, we can challenge the actual classification level of your position. This is the last step in the process, and the one we naturally focus on. But to get there we must succeed with the first step: developing an accurate work description for your position.

All of us deserve a fair classification, and together we can get it. Please choose how you wish to participate in CEIU’s classification campaign and help win the recognition you deserve.

In solidarity,

Jeannette Meunier-McKay
National President