The PSAC-Union of Taxation Employees (PSAC-UTE) bargaining team representing members at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) held talks with the employer between April 2 and 4.  The session was held at the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board in Ottawa in the presence of a federal mediator.

Key issues for this round of bargaining, such as excessive term employment and hours of work, remain unresolved. Moreover, the union has still not received a response to the wage proposal. This is disappointing, and PSAC-UTE believes Treasury Board interference in the bargaining approach taken by CRA management is an obstacle to making significant progress at the table.

Nevertheless, the bargaining team did achieve limited progress on some other issues at this week’s meetings and agreed to hold another session with the mediator between May 6 and 9.

PSAC-UTE remains committed to advancing the following priorities through the mediation process:

• 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.  

The bargaining team appreciates the support it has received from the membership throughout this process and encourages members to continue showing visible support for the union and bargaining proposals in the workplace.

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.