Letter from National President Betty Bannon to the leaders of each political party - Position of the Party for Distribution to the UTE Members


	Sunday August 1, 2010

Re: Position of the Party for Distribution to the UTE Members

My name is Betty Bannon, National President of the Union of Taxation Employee-PSAC (UTE) and we represent over 26,000 members who work for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

There has been much speculation of a possible federal election in the near future and our membership is interested in a number of issues and would like to know your Party’s position on these issues.

Issue # 1 – Bill C-10 Expenditure Restraint Act:

In February 2009 the Government passed Bill C-10 which included the Expenditure Restraint Act. This Act had several components including setting the economic wage rate for public sector workers until March 31, 2011. This Act also took the unprecedented position of opening Collective Agreements that were negotiated prior to December 2008. In the case of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) a tentative agreement was negotiated in October 2007. This was precedent setting, in that, this was the first time a tentative agreement had been reached prior to the expiration of the previous Collective Agreement.

There is jurisprudence that indicates this action of Bill C-10 is contrary to the Canadian Charter of Rights. The PSAC has filed a court challenge on this issue. In addition our union, the PSAC, pro-actively negotiated collective agreements for over 100,000 federal employees prior to the passing of this legislation understanding the economic realities of the day.

Position of your Party:

Will you and your party support the repealing of the opening of negotiated collective agreements in Bill C-10 and in the case of the CRA re-instate the agreed upon negotiated economic wage rate? As well, will you and your party agree to continue with the precedent setting manner in negotiations with the CRA and the PSAC as stated above?

Issue # 2– Staffing in the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA):

In 1999, the CCRA Act gave full control and responsibility for staffing to the CRA. This legislation does not work for our members. PSAC members are regularly being denied career advancement opportunities under this flawed process. It is no longer based on merit, is inequitable, and does not provide for any true recourse or redress to our members. The Office of the Auditor General recently confirmed that staffing in the CRA is severely flawed.

Position of your Party:

Will you and your party commit to a full, independent third party review of this staffing process that will include returning merit and redress in this flawed system?

Issue # 3 – Defending Quality Public Services:

The current and previous Governments have downsized Government by cutting programs, contracting out, privatizing and eliminating the services our members provide. Canadians deserve quality public services for the tax dollars they pay and we administer. It makes no sense to downsize the CRA, as we are the main revenue generating source for the government. The Auditor General has stated that our receivables are too high.

Position of your Party:

Will you and your party commit to allocating additional resources to the CRA that will guarantee increased revenues to the rest of the federal public service and to Canadians in general?

It is our intent to publish your written responses in the Fall to our 26,000 members to ensure that they are informed of your Party’s position on these important matters. Thus, your early attention to this request would be appreciated.

If you wish to discuss any of these matters please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned at 613-266-5956 or via e-mail at bannonb@ute-sei.org .

Thanking you in advance,

National President
Union of Taxation Employees

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