Union News - September 2021
As you are likely aware, the Government of Canada has recently proclaimed legislation establishing September 30th as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and creating an additional designated paid holiday for federal public service employees pursuant to clause 30.01(l) of the collective agreement between the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC). While this is good news and an additional benefit to our full-time members, it is not as beneficial to our part-time members.
Clause 61.07 of the aforementioned collective agreement states the following:
61.07 A part-time employee shall not be paid for the designated holidays but shall, instead be paid four decimal two five percent (4.25%) for all straight-time hours worked.
This language was incorporated into the collective agreement when there were eleven designated paid holidays enjoyed by our members. With the addition of the newly created twelfth designated paid holiday, part-time employees will now work 7.5 hours less and as a result, will receive 4.25% on these fewer hours worked.
Upon realizing the adverse impact on our part-time members, the National Office of the Union of Taxation Employees (UTE) raised the matter with Headquarters representatives of the CRA, requesting that they approach Treasury Board for a positive resolution to this matter. Additionally, UTE reached out to the bargaining agent, the PSAC, to engage Treasury Board in discussions on this matter.
We have now received a response from Treasury Board that they are not prepared to revise the language of the collective agreement at this time.
As the matter has not been resolved satisfactorily in this forum, UTE will address the matter during the upcoming round of negotiations.
D. Shane O'Brien
Senior Labour Relations Officer