Union News - December 2021
The year 2021 is ending and, like the previous year, it has been marked by the COVID-19 pandemic that continues to plague us here in Canada and around the world. In all likelihood, it will unfortunately be with us for some time to come.
As a result of this pandemic, our union has had to rethink its ways of doing business. For example, we have provided logistical support to our Locals to allow them to resume holding Annual General Meetings in order to account for their activities to their members. So far, these events have all been held virtually and have gone very well.
The fact that most of our members continue to work remotely from home presents a challenge for our Locals in communicating not only individually with a member but with their membership at large. As we complete our preparations for the next round of bargaining in January 2022, we need to find ways to communicate effectively with our Locals and our entire membership. To that end, it is anticipated that UTE National will be holding virtual town hall meetings from time to time over the next year in order to communicate with as many members as possible. Other means of communication will also be used.
We continue to have regular meetings with the employer regarding a possible return of more employees to the Agency's premises. Some employees will continue to telework, others will return to the office, while many will have a hybrid work schedule (alternating between working at home and at the employer's office). With the fourth wave of the pandemic raging this fall, the timeline has been pushed back and, at the time of writing, a fifth wave of COVID-19 is unfortunately on the horizon.
Your health and safety remain our top priority and we will continue to work with the employer to ensure that you can continue to work in a safe and healthy environment, regardless of where you perform your duties.
As you are aware, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has followed Treasury Board's lead in implementing a mandatory vaccination policy against COVID-19 for all its employees. The Union of Taxation Employees (UTE) has raised issues and concerns, including the protection of our members' personal information and privacy, with the employer and has proposed changes to the policy but the Agency has not responded favourably to any of our requests. The UTE National Office has had several discussions with the PSAC on this policy and the UTE Executive Council has also been working on this issue.
In a message to all our members on November 9, I informed you that the PSAC has decided that it will not oppose the mandatory vaccination policy. Furthermore, the Alliance has informed us that it will not support a statutory freeze complaint under the federal Public Service Labour Relations and Employment Act or the filing of a policy grievance. As the bargaining agent, the PSAC is the authority in this matter and our Component is bound to follow its direction and respect its decisions in this regard. In our message, we provided instructions for members who wished to challenge the employer's decision to place them on administrative leave without pay or if the employer denied them an exemption or accommodation for legitimate and compelling reasons. Indeed, we have a duty as a union to represent the interests and rights of all our members.
We have also provided instructions to our local union representatives to help them respond to members' questions and concerns. Any member wishing to challenge an employer's decision has the right to expect a sympathetic ear from their union. As in any other matter, the decision to support or not support a member's request to grieve a decision made by the employer under this policy is made on the individual and specific merits and circumstances of each case.
That being said, the UTE agrees that vaccination is an effective tool to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus and its various strains, and we strongly encourage all of our members to get vaccinated.
As the year draws to a close, I would like to congratulate you once again for your excellent work and extraordinary dedication in difficult circumstances. Canadian taxpayers can always count on you to provide them with a professional and quality service. It is a credit to you, and I am very grateful.
I would also like to thank all our union representatives for their hard work and dedication to our members.
In closing, I wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season. And may the New Year bring you joy, happiness and prosperity!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Stay safe and take good care of yourself and your loved ones!
In solidarity,
Marc Brière
National President