A federal mediator appointed by the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board has announced that mediation between PSAC-Union of Taxation Employees (PSAC-UTE) and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has been scheduled for April 2-4 in Ottawa.

The forthcoming mediation session follows many frustrating months of stalled negotiations between the union and CRA, during which the employer did not meaningfully address members’ concerns and instead pushed for concessions. As a result, PSAC-UTE declared bargaining impasse in January and asked the Labour Board to establish a Public Interest Commission (PIC).

In late February, the Labour Board named a mediator for the dispute and asked both parties to return to the bargaining table with the mediator’s assistance. The Board also indicated that the establishment of a PIC will be delayed to allow mediation to proceed.

The PSAC-UTE bargaining team remains committed to negotiating a new collective agreement that addresses members’ concerns and ensures fair wage increases.

Updates will be provided as things evolve. In the meantime, be sure to go to ute-sei.org and psacunion.ca to see what PSAC-UTE has proposed, for more information, and to subscribe to regular updates. Also, should you have any questions, please contact your UTE Local President.