Union News - December 2017
As 2nd National Vice-President in charge of bargaining, it is my pleasure to engage with you on the bargaining process and the plan moving forward.
The UTE National Bargaining Committee has now been struck and is comprised of:
- Adam Jackson, 2nd National Vice-President
- Jamie vanSydenborgh, Regional Vice-President, Southwestern Ontario Region
- Chris Heywood, Sudbury Tax Center local, Presidents’ Representative for the Tax Centers
- Michele Neill, Charlottetown local, Presidents’ Representative for the Tax Services Offices
- Brian Oldford, Regional Vice-President, Atlantic Region
- Cosimo Crupi, Regional Vice-President, Northern and Eastern Ontario Region
- Gary Esslinger, Regional Vice-President, Prairie Region
- Greg Krokosh, Regional Vice-President, Rocky Mountains Region
- Eddy Aristil, Regional Vice-President, Montreal Region.
The Committee is scheduled to meet January 8 – 12 and will be prioritizing the bargaining demands received from our members, locals and labour relations officers from the national office, in order to finalize the document containing our bargaining demands. Once the work is done, we can then proceed to the next step of communicating with the CRA Bargaining Agent.
The level of engagement and activism has been exceptional and the volume of demands shows the dedication of our membership which will hopefully lead to better benefits through collective bargaining.
The last round was very difficult and a great deal of gratitude and credit is due to the personal time sacrificed by each member of the bargaining team. The hours were long and the time away from family can never be made up. They did this for the membership and I thank them for that dedication.
We were faced with a “final offer” that obviously wasn’t. We were faced with a vote on a contract offer that was contrary to the very bargaining process we hold as paramount in importance. We showed that unreasonableness will be met with a “NO” vote. We proved that when we need to stand up for what is right and fair, we can, we did, and we will.
25,000 members depend on this process to be fair and reasonable, as this affects our daily lives and those of our families. We need you to help us get the best deal we can. 25,000 strong voices will get us that deal. 25,000 people fighting for better pay and benefits will send a signal that the membership is behind us. I am optimistic that this round will run smoothly. I know that the employer recognizes the power 25,000 members will bring to the table.
I hope to hear from members across the country and ask for your support in this round of bargaining. We can do this together and with your support we will.
Adam Jackson
2nd National Vice-President