Possible Strike Action by IRCC employees starting mid-April

[johnjkjk]

this is a general thread on strike action, but unfortunately it as been taken over by people complaining about cancelled oath ceremonies and these people don't care about anybody but themselves. They certainly don't care about people who have applications stuck for 2 years+ and how the strike will effect the bscklog.

Agreed, I'm in this exact situation.

So your idiotic comments about people waiting for their oath ceremonies hijacking this thread was after checking with each and everyone of them about their individual situation? Among those, there might be people who would have to travel for family or financial emergencies. Your idiotic comment indicated that everyone should only worry about those whose applications have been stuck in backlog for years and the rest of the people's situations/concerns are not valid.

Oath ceremonies will be rescheduled pretty quickly. As soon as a week or two. And those who need oath urgently can request it. Oath is handled by a separate team. It's not part of the application processing. This is hardly an issue and you guys just need to be patient and wait for a week. Yet I was told by someone that "this is the oath thread".

the long term issue is with application processing. Sean Fraser has confirmed severe impacts to processing times. Unfortunately 2021 applicants were backlogged to prioritize newer applications. It is likely that our files could now drag on for years.

Ultimately those who have been waiting the longest will suffer the most.

 

[krishere1982]

Oath ceremonies will be rescheduled pretty quickly. As soon as a week or two. And those who need oath urgently can request it. Oath is handled by a separate team. It's not part of the application processing. This is hardly an issue and you guys just need to be patient and wait for a week. Yet I was told by someone that "this is the oath thread".

the long term issue is with application processing. Sean Fraser has confirmed severe impacts to processing times. Unfortunately 2021 applicants were backlogged to prioritize newer applications. It is likely that our files could now drag on for years.

Ultimately those who have been waiting the longest will suffer the most.

I am nowhere close to the oath ceremony. I have just now submitted the application and have not even received the AOR.

I agree it will be extremely frustrating for those who have applied in 2021 and still waiting and other such backlogged applicants.

But that doesn't mean others who don't fall into that bucket of backlogged applications should not worry.

 

[firstax]

Counter-point

https://monitormag.ca/articles/public-sector-strike-its-about-how-inflation-is-gouging-wages/

They got a good break when they stayed home for 2 years and got full wages, and benefits, and did not lose their jobs while the private sector did not get the same. They are also asking to work from home permanently while also wanting their wages increased with other ridiculous demands that if passed would force the government to increase already high taxes to pay for them. Has anyone seen the debt the country is in right now?

 

[oboyzee]

Alot of cry entitled babies on here!!!

 

[piotrqc]

With the risks of pandemics, strikes, and the lazy and profiteering character of some people (for example: the abuse of the use of the vacancy code 699), certain measures should be imagined.

There is no sympathy to be had for people who misuse the public money earned by honest workers, or who hold the population hostage with blackmail... I read somewhere that the union talked about '' paralyze the country ", I read and saw with my own eyes this expression used in an article in French. It's just scandalous. There is no excuse to be found for these people, no sympathy or solidarity to have with them.

I am fully with the Trudeau government on this matter: Resisting blackmail and not giving in also means protecting the public money that we all earn hard here. We work and sweat for. Money doesn't grow on trees.

For the most worried here, I would like to reassure them: There is a legal tool that could allow the government to FORCE workers to return to their offices, by force of law. I don't know how we translate this into English, but in French we call this ''loi spéciale'', this text dating from a few days ago already mentioned it:

https://www.lenouvelliste.ca/actualites/2023/04/19/fonctionnaires-en-greve-deja-le-spectre-de-la-loi-speciale-QAL2A5AI4RBYBMFJCSDUESSAIM/

That said, we must know what the barriers are for the moment for the realization of this solution: I have read that the NDP is totally against ... The fact that the government does not have a majority should not facilitate things.. Either way, be aware that there is a legal possibility for the government to force workers back to the office.


That said, people who will have their ceremony canceled here, and everyone who will be impacted by this strike should know who their allies and opponents are here, for example: I have read that the NDP is totally against the use of this legal provision to compel them to return to work, see here:

https://www.ledevoir.com/politique/canada/789305/le-npd-s-opposerait-a-toute-loi-de-retour-au-travail

... The fact that the government does not have a majority should not help matters ... Anyway, know that there is a legal possibility for the government to force the workers back to the office.

Let's hope that solutions are devised for future interruptions due to the ''human element'', for example pandemics, strikes, or other... For example, let's hope that the project of total automation of ceremonies goes ahead , more digitization and less paperwork (which could help force people to work, and make telework more accessible, so less possibility of 699 for example), etc, etc...

 

[shiremag]

Todays Update:

Conseil du Trésor du Canada:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1650208416596369409

 

[Keyjoe23]

They only accept serious illness or death in family as a valid reason, and only if you cannot obtain a passport in your current nationality (proof required). I got the acknowledgement but then the strike hit and it's all stuck.

On my end I can technically renew my passport but will require that I be in my home country to finish military papers and then apply for a new passport which would take more than 1 month and would cause me troubles with my company so not sure if worth giving it a shot and try to see if they will accept

 

[irinaaas11]

Todays Update:

Conseil du Trésor du Canada:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1650208416596369409

This is hardly an update, they keep vomiting this "ensuring a fair and reasonable deal for employees and for Canadians" phase over and over. No real update, really.

 

[Simba112]

With the risks of pandemics, strikes, and the lazy and profiteering character of some people (for example: the abuse of the use of the vacancy code 699), certain measures should be imagined.

There is no sympathy to be had for people who misuse the public money earned by honest workers, or who hold the population hostage with blackmail... I read somewhere that the union talked about '' paralyze the country ", I read and saw with my own eyes this expression used in an article in French. It's just scandalous. There is no excuse to be found for these people, no sympathy or solidarity to have with them.

I am fully with the Trudeau government on this matter: Resisting blackmail and not giving in also means protecting the public money that we all earn hard here. We work and sweat for. Money doesn't grow on trees.

For the most worried here, I would like to reassure them: There is a legal tool that could allow the government to FORCE workers to return to their offices, by force of law. I don't know how we translate this into English, but in French we call this ''loi spéciale'', this text dating from a few days ago already mentioned it:

https://www.lenouvelliste.ca/actualites/2023/04/19/fonctionnaires-en-greve-deja-le-spectre-de-la-loi-speciale-QAL2A5AI4RBYBMFJCSDUESSAIM/

That said, we must know what the barriers are for the moment for the realization of this solution: I have read that the NDP is totally against ... The fact that the government does not have a majority should not facilitate things.. Either way, be aware that there is a legal possibility for the government to force workers back to the office.


That said, people who will have their ceremony canceled here, and everyone who will be impacted by this strike should know who their allies and opponents are here, for example: I have read that the NDP is totally against the use of this legal provision to compel them to return to work, see here:

https://www.ledevoir.com/politique/canada/789305/le-npd-s-opposerait-a-toute-loi-de-retour-au-travail

... The fact that the government does not have a majority should not help matters ... Anyway, know that there is a legal possibility for the government to force the workers back to the office.

Let's hope that solutions are devised for future interruptions due to the ''human element'', for example pandemics, strikes, or other... For example, let's hope that the project of total automation of ceremonies goes ahead , more digitization and less paperwork (which could help force people to work, and make telework more accessible, so less possibility of 699 for example), etc, etc...

Unlikely the Government will force workers to return to work by other legal means. They will push through negotiation table, and the more it takes, workers and union will be on weakening position. FYI, Trudeau slammed Dog when Ontario workers strike and wanted to use Notwithstanding clause".

“The proactive use of the notwithstanding clause is actually an attack on people’s fundamental rights and, in this case, is an attack on one of the most basic rights available—that of collective bargaining.”

https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/trudeau-slams-ford-government-s-attack-on-people-s-fundamental-rights-1.6139786

 

[irinaaas11]

Agreed, I'm in this exact situation.

Oath ceremonies will be rescheduled pretty quickly. As soon as a week or two. And those who need oath urgently can request it. Oath is handled by a separate team. It's not part of the application processing. This is hardly an issue and you guys just need to be patient and wait for a week. Yet I was told by someone that "this is the oath thread".

the long term issue is with application processing. Sean Fraser has confirmed severe impacts to processing times. Unfortunately 2021 applicants were backlogged to prioritize newer applications. It is likely that our files could now drag on for years.

Ultimately those who have been waiting the longest will suffer the most.

"Oath ceremonies will be rescheduled pretty quickly. As soon as a week or two." - is there an official statement from IRCC confirming this? If not, it's just YOUR speculation which is equal to zero at this point in time. NO ONE knows WHEN they'll be rescheduled, it can be 2 weeks, 2 months, 10 months, or 2 years. Have you considered that maybe some of those that were scheduled for the ceremony this last and upcoming week are part of that backlog as well? They're not just applicants from 2022.

Yes, the oath is administered by a judge that is (probably) not on strike but the officers that oversee the ceremonies are on strike, so there's nothing we can do at this point. We have zero power over this whole process and fighting and blaming each other for something that is outside our control on this forum is absolutely useless. Calling each other names just because we vent and express our frustration here doesn't lead to anything. It also doesn't make us entitled. We are all angry at IRCC and the government, that's the thing we have in common. It's not my fault or yours that IRCC decided to prioritize 2022 applications over 2020 or 2021 ones. It's not fair and we all agree to this but it's IRCC's decision and ultimately we are at their mercy, unfortunately.

 

[koiwa528]

My oath ceremony will be in early May, so could you just suspend your strike for while until I have finished my ceremony and have received my passport?

Thanks

 

[sumeet169]

With the risks of pandemics, strikes, and the lazy and profiteering character of some people (for example: the abuse of the use of the vacancy code 699), certain measures should be imagined.

There is no sympathy to be had for people who misuse the public money earned by honest workers, or who hold the population hostage with blackmail... I read somewhere that the union talked about '' paralyze the country ", I read and saw with my own eyes this expression used in an article in French. It's just scandalous. There is no excuse to be found for these people, no sympathy or solidarity to have with them.

I am fully with the Trudeau government on this matter: Resisting blackmail and not giving in also means protecting the public money that we all earn hard here. We work and sweat for. Money doesn't grow on trees.

For the most worried here, I would like to reassure them: There is a legal tool that could allow the government to FORCE workers to return to their offices, by force of law. I don't know how we translate this into English, but in French we call this ''loi spéciale'', this text dating from a few days ago already mentioned it:

https://www.lenouvelliste.ca/actualites/2023/04/19/fonctionnaires-en-greve-deja-le-spectre-de-la-loi-speciale-QAL2A5AI4RBYBMFJCSDUESSAIM/

That said, we must know what the barriers are for the moment for the realization of this solution: I have read that the NDP is totally against ... The fact that the government does not have a majority should not facilitate things.. Either way, be aware that there is a legal possibility for the government to force workers back to the office.


That said, people who will have their ceremony canceled here, and everyone who will be impacted by this strike should know who their allies and opponents are here, for example: I have read that the NDP is totally against the use of this legal provision to compel them to return to work, see here:

https://www.ledevoir.com/politique/canada/789305/le-npd-s-opposerait-a-toute-loi-de-retour-au-travail

... The fact that the government does not have a majority should not help matters ... Anyway, know that there is a legal possibility for the government to force the workers back to the office.

Let's hope that solutions are devised for future interruptions due to the ''human element'', for example pandemics, strikes, or other... For example, let's hope that the project of total automation of ceremonies goes ahead , more digitization and less paperwork (which could help force people to work, and make telework more accessible, so less possibility of 699 for example), etc, etc...

Forcing Back to work may be really difficult since they will have to pass in in Senate and they may not have the votes for it. I think the only way out is to strike a deal

 

[Simba112]

My oath ceremony will be in early May, so could you just suspend your strike for while until I have finished my ceremony and have received my passport?

Thanks

. Hopeful they reach settlement by end of April, the hardest part is the union members agree to final deal reached. If they dont they go back to the table.

 

[irinaaas11]

this is a general thread on strike action, but unfortunately it as been taken over by people complaining about cancelled oath ceremonies and these people don't care about anybody but themselves. They certainly don't care about people who have applications stuck for 2 years+ and how the strike will effect the bscklog.

This is a thread about the strike action under the "Settlement in Canada", "Citizenship" forum section. Therefore, is about how the strike affects the citizenship application process and ultimately, the oath ceremonies. People are allowed to talk and have conversations about how their citizenship application is affected by this strike. It's called freedom of speech.
I'm trying to understand what exactly do you want us to do here? Do you want us to cry for you? Go on a strike for you? Withdraw our applications so yours can be processed faster? You're looking to put a blame on someone in the wrong place and on the wrong people for your application being delayed. At this point, I just consider you a troll that is blaming someone that has zero power over your application instead of the ones that have, IRCC, and indirectly (or not), the government. At the end of the day, what power do you think I have to make a change in how your application is being processed?! Do you see how ridiculous you sound when saying things like "these people don't care about anybody but themselves" when we, the people on this forum, have absolutely NOTHING to do with your application and the decisions that IRCC makes?

 

[irinaaas11]

Don't really understand your point on me being willing to withdraw my application so that an officer's time can be devoted on evaluating someone else's application since I have not received one single update since applying and my GCMS notes indicate that nobody has even started looking at my 2+ year application. So obviously my application is not taking any officer's time away from somebody else's application. Secondly, my point is that everyone should be treated equally when applying for citizenship. But it seems nobody here cares about those applicants that are truly in the dark and suffering because of all the delays. And your idiotic comments proves that point.

"my GCMS notes indicate that nobody has even started looking at my 2+ year application." - IRCC's fault
"my point is that everyone should be treated equally when applying for citizenship." - in a perfect world, yes, this is how it should be, 100%, but we clearly live in a country that has an unfair and faulty system. Also IRCC and the government's fault.
"But it seems nobody here cares about those applicants that are truly in the dark and suffering because of all the delays." - again, we have zero power or control over your application, so what exactly would you like us to do? Some dark gypsy magic? Go to the quantum realm and ask Dr Strange to put a spell on an IRCC officer to process your application?

Bonus - based on your comment history:
"Applied in May with AOR on June 2, 2022 and I've received absolutely no updates since then" - BUT WHAT ABOUT THOSE 2020 & 2021 APPLICANTS THAT ARE STILL WAITING FOR THEIR FILES TO BE PROCESSED?

See the irony?