Staffing was, and still is non-negotiable within the federal public service.  The UTE fought hard and long to have this prohibition removed from the legislation establishing the Canada Revenue Agency.  It seems, however, that the employer has gotten used to playing with a stacked deck, especially when it alone can change the rules of the game whenever it wants to. The UTE continues to place staffing as a priority demand in the bargaining process.

Nonetheless, the UTE some years ago formed a Staffing Committee to act as the members’ advocate on staffing issues with the employer.  The Committee’s persistence and dogged work has succeeded in having a real impact on many employer staffing initiatives.