Union News - December 2017
As 2017 comes to a close, it is appropriate at this time to look back on the important events that have transpired in the past year. I believe it is fair to say that it was once again a year filled with emotions.
First of all, we participated fully in the union-management consultation meetings and joint committee meetings held with the employer at all levels. We made sure to express your concerns in a frank and firm manner.
Your union representatives made many follow-ups with the employer throughout the year on various issues in order to make sure your rights were being respected. This included:
- Making sure that retroactive salary payments associated with the signing of the last collective agreement and requests pertaining to severance pay were completed within the stipulated timeframes.
- We exercised our right to use the re-opener clause negotiated during the last bargaining round. This has allowed us to reopen discussions on rates of pay for the last two years of the last contract, i.e. the years ending on October 31, 2015 and 2016. Not having been able to reach an agreement with the employer during our May bargaining session, our bargaining team has asked that the dispute be referred to the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board so that an arbitrator can settle the matter with a binding decision. The hearing for this case is scheduled for Wednesday January 31, 2018.
- We are also putting the final touches on the preparations for the next bargaining round, slated to begin in spring 2018. Obviously, I am asking you to support your union and your bargaining team without reservation. We proved last year that we can achieve far more when we all stand together!
- Making sure that the employer complies with all the provisions of the collective agreement when it comes to work force adjustment (WFA) situations following the Service Renewal Initiative announced in November 2016.
Like all their federal public service colleagues, some of our members are dealing with recurring Phoenix pay system issues. However, we have put in place a memorandum of understanding with the employer, meaning that your union can concretely help you resolve your pay problems. Speak with one of your local union representatives for further details.
I want to point out that we have fought hard to defend the interests of our members to the employer, in connection with the various work reorganizations undertaken by the CRA. I am pleased to say that the employer now consults your union more regularly and in a more meaningful way.
In addition, we are keeping a close eye on the situation in call centres, particularly following the release of the Auditor General’s report. Discussions have already been held in that regard with the Minister of National Revenue, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, and with the Commissioner of the Canada Revenue Agency, Bob Hamilton, to find solutions to the problems that our members, who work in those call centres, are experiencing.
In closing, I wish you and your families a very Happy Holiday Season, with the hope that next year will be better for us all.
In Solidarity,
Marc Brière
National President