On February 27, the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board named a federal mediator to assist in talks between the PSAC-Union of Taxation Employees (PSAC-UTE) and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The Board’s decision follows PSAC-UTE’s declaration of bargaining impasse in January, after many frustrating months of stalled negotiations.

The PSAC-UTE bargaining team is now in the process of reaching out to the mediator to set dates for the next bargaining session.

The Board also declared that the creation of a Public Interest Commision will be delayed in order to give the parties an opportunity to return to the bargaining table with the assistance of the mediator.

Since bargaining began eight months ago, the union has made it clear that key member priorities for the next contract are:

• Protections against excessive term employment, along with more permanent jobs and income security. 

• Protections against the expansion of shift work, as well as new rights for employees scheduled to work evenings. 

• Increased work-life balance, with an emphasis on improved access to leave. 

• Improved conditions for call centre workers, including scheduling rights and better protections. 

• Union rights in the workplace, consistent with what other federal employers have agreed to.
   
• Fair wage increases that minimally keep up with inflation.   

Unfortunately, over many months of talks, the CRA remained unwilling to meaningfully address the above concerns, and instead pushed for concessions.

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.