July 12, 2012

PSAC takes first step to start bargaining with CRA

On July 3, PSAC started the process of negotiating a new collective agreement with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).  The union sent a notice to the Agency that we want to bargain changes to the current agreement that ends on October 31, 2012.

Sisters and Brothers,

We would like to thank UTE/PSAC members at CRA for your support in pushing for a fair collective agreement.

On Friday June 24, UTE President Bob Campbell met with Acting Commissioner, John Ossowski, to discuss the results of the vote on the proposed memorandum of settlement. He has committed to reach out to Treasury Board and the Minister of Revenue and respond with more information regarding their position as soon as possible.

Statement from PSAC National President Chris Aylward: 

Over the last two months of the COVID-19 pandemic, PSAC members have been on the frontlines battling the virus and delivering emergency financial support to millions of Canadians. They continue to provide these critical services, they do so without a new contract, and many have not seen wage increases for up to four years.  

Sisters, Brothers and Friends,

By now, you should be aware that the Union of Taxation Employees-PSAC (UTE) and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) reached a tentative agreement late last night after eighteen months of negotiations between the parties. Highlights of the terms of the tentative agreement were provided in communications from UTE in the early hours of this morning.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Union of Taxation Employees (UTE) are launching nationwide strike votes for more than 35,000 workers at Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) after talks broke down over wages and remote work.

Strike votes will be conducted from January 31 to April 7, 2023. Workers at CRA have been without a contract for more than a year, and the union declared impasse in September.

Negotiations for nearly 30,000 PSAC-UTE members at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will resume July 14.

The new dates were secured following our email campaigns targeting Treasury Board President Jean-Yves Duclos and Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier during which PSAC-UTE members sent thousands of emails demanding a return to the table.

PSAC-UTE members deserve fair wage increases and enhanced job protection, and our bargaining team is fighting for just that. The PSAC-UTE bargaining team met with the Canada Revenue Agency July 12-14 to continue negotiations for a new collective agreement. While there was considerable discussion, little progress is being made at the table.

The PSAC-UTE bargaining team tabled their wage proposals and is looking to achieve fair annual wage increases that – at a minimum – meet current inflationary trends.

Contract negotiations for nearly 30,000 PSAC-UTE members at the Canada Revenue Agency were scheduled to resume July 7 but have now been briefly delayed while talks for the Program & Administrative (PA Group) under Treasury Board continue.

The PSAC-UTE bargaining team discussed key bargaining priorities including hours of work and remote work during negotiations with Canada Revenue Agency March 28-30.

Our team also tabled proposals to provide greater protection against discrimination in CRA workplaces, and to ensure mandatory training to all employees on anti-oppression and discrimination.