Appendix K retroactive payment process

This communiqué deals with the implementation of last year’s award by the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board regarding transfer at sea allowances. Specifically, the Board ordered that the employer pay Fishery Officers the $10.00 transfer at sea allowance in Appendix K of the collective agreement each time they board a fishing vessel from a ship’s boat and an additional $10.00 when returning from that fishing vessel to a ship’s boat. The award is retroactive to November 14, 2018, and applies going forward, although the employer has sought to overturn the decision by judicial review.

On June 10, 2025, management circulated a process for confirming the eligibility for transfers at sea from a ship’s boat that has launched from a Canadian Coast Guard ship or similar platform such as a DND platform or chartered vessel. According to this procedure, going forward, Fishery Officers who perform transfers at sea must submit requests for payment, using applicable forms, to their immediate supervisors for approval.

For past transfers, Fishery Officers must also submit requests to their immediate supervisors, using applicable forms, providing details of the transfers. Evidence of past transfers can include inspection reports, log book entries or any other information that may confirm the Fisher Officer was required to transfer at sea.

To be eligible for the allowance, Fishery Officers, including retirees, must complete the appropriate employer forms for all transfers at sea, past, present or future. Fishery Officers with active grievances must similarly submit this information for any transfers since November 14, 2018.

Fishery Officers, including retired members, should apply, using the applicable forms, for any transfers at sea they believe are eligible for the allowance, regardless of whether the transfer occurred from a ship’s boat that launched from a Canadian Coast Guard ship or similar platform.

UHEW continues to consult with management on issues arising from the implementation of the Board’s award and, in particular, eligible transfers at sea. Presently, there is no agreement on the following:

• Eligibility of transfers at sea from a Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat, such as a Zodiac, that first launched from land,
• What constitutes vessels that are “in a secured state to each other” according to clause K-4.01 of the collective agreement, and
• The method for resolving disputes over whether there is sufficient evidence to confirm past transfers claimed by Fisher Officers have occurred.

UHEW will update members as more information is available. If any Fishery Officers have any questions they may contact to Stephen Vanneste, UHEW Service Officer, by email at stephen.vanneste@uhew-stse.ca or Peter Butler, UHEW Directory of Regulatory Enforcement by email at peter.butler@uhew-stse.ca.