Workers at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) have voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking strike action on behalf of 35,000 workers represented by the Union of Taxation Employees and the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

“Our members have sent a strong message to CRA,” said Chris Aylward, PSAC national president. “Workers can’t wait, and we’re ready to show this government we won’t let workers fall behind.”

Workers at CRA have been without a contract for more than a year while the cost of living has continued to soar. The government still has major concessions on the table, and has yet to respond to the union’s wage proposals.

A final round of negotiations has been set for April 17-20 between PSAC and Canada Revenue Agency. Members at CRA are in a legal strike position April 14.

“Our members are falling further behind as inflation soars and wages are stuck in neutral,” said Marc Brière, national president of the Union of Taxation Employees, a component of PSAC. “We’ve negotiated in good faith, but our members have had enough. Our bills are mounting, and our families are feeling the pinch.  And now, we’re going to show the government that workers won’t wait.”

PSAC-UTE members stepped up during the pandemic, when Canadians needed it most — and delivered. They processed nearly 30 million CERB applications and provided historic financial relief to millions of people hardest hit by COVID-19.

“Tax season is here,” Brière said. “Going on strike is never our first choice. But securing a strong strike mandate now gives us the leverage we need to reach a fair and decent contract. And if we need to take job action to get the collective agreement our members deserve, that’s what we’re prepared to do.”