As you are aware, we have been waiting to get information on the impact of the last budget on the CRA and our members. Today, management at the CRA has informed those employees affected by the budget impacts, and the National, Regional and Local unions have been briefed on the specific details.
Management has informed us that there are 671 affected members of UTE, and 1289 affected CRA employees, in total.
CRA has identified 18 initiatives across the country where these budget cuts will take place. Of these 18 initiatives, there are 4 in particular where the bulk of UTE members will be affected.
They are:
- Closing Cash and Enquiry counters and Eliminating in-person Out reach services (285 affected UTE members)
- Transforming Enforcement Programs (208 affected UTE members);
broken down as:
- Criminal Investigation Program, (CIP), (88 affected UTE members); Centralization from 32 sites to 6;
- Special Enforcement Programs (SEP) (78 affected UTE members); Discontinued and resources to be transferred to Compliance;
- Voluntary Disclosure Program, (VDP) (29 affected UTE members); transferring resources to Assessment & Benefits Branch; and
- Informant Leads (13 affected UTE members); relocating from St. Catharine’s to Scarborough.
- Consolidation of Management in TSO`s and Regional Program Management (68 affected UTE members); broken down as:
- Consolidation of the management of TSO's (41 affected UTE members)
- Consolidation of Regional Program Management (27 affected UTE members.
UTE has been informed there will be no office closures, at this time.
For specific information in regards to your particular office, please contact your local union representative.
We will be working with CRA management at all levels to review the information provided to us today, and will ensure all of the WFA committees are informed and engaged throughout this process.
We must ensure that all of the people affected are aware of their rights under the collective agreement and that CRA lives up to their obligations.
Members must be aware that, if they are given an affected letter at this time, it does not mean you will automatically be declared surplus. Please talk to your Local union representative to make sure that you have Union support and guidance through this difficult time.
We must all stand together and look out for each other during this time as “we are all affected.”
In solidarity,
Robert Campbell
National President