Union News - October 2022
First of all, I hope that you have taken advantage of the beautiful summer season to take a well-deserved break from work to spend some quality time with your loved ones. These special moments of relaxation, joy and rest are very important, both for your physical and mental well-being.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has followed Treasury Board's lead and suspended its policy on mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 as of June 20, 2022 until further notice. This is good news for our members who were directly affected by the implementation of this policy. Indeed, employees who had been placed on administrative leave without pay have been reinstated. As you know, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) filed two (2) policy grievances against this policy last March at our request. As for the policy itself, it is not clear whether or not the employer intends to reinstate it in the future. We will monitor these matters closely and keep you informed of any significant developments.
Obviously, the health and safety of all our members is THE top priority of our union. We continue to have frequent discussions with the employer's representatives to ensure that all necessary measures are put in place to ensure that all workplaces, whether in the Agency's offices or at home, are safe. In addition, we hold regular meetings with the employer regarding the potential return of a growing number of our members to its workplaces.
At the last meeting between our bargaining team and the employer's team, our team unfortunately had no choice but to declare an impasse in negotiations and asked the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board to help us move negotiations forward. The scenario that occurred in the last round of bargaining has been repeated again this time. This is unacceptable and downright insulting, especially when one considers the extraordinary work you have done since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in administering not only the tax programs but also the emergency financial assistance programs of the federal government. We deserve much more respect and consideration from them. Enough is enough!
I ask you to show the CRA and Treasury Board that we will not give in to them and that we all fully support our bargaining team. We need to stand strong and united. In order for you to show your support for the bargaining team, you will find a poster with two slogans inside this mailing. I ask that you use this poster and display it prominently in your workplace and at work-related meetings or when asked at union events. It is important that the employer sees and knows that you are always thinking about bargaining and that you are steadfast in your support of your bargaining team.
On another note, I would like to inform you that our Locals will be holding their Annual General Meetings (AGMs) again this fall. Some Locals will continue to hold their AGMs virtually while others are choosing to resume holding them in person. As public health authorities are no longer imposing health restrictions, the decision to hold their AGM in a particular format rests with each of our local executives, as is normally the case.
I would also like to remind you that our Union strongly recommends that all members file a Notice of Objection to the Notice of Assessment from the CRA for the year 2021 regarding the portion of reported income that represents general damages paid under a settlement agreement negotiated by the PSAC as compensation for stress, aggravation and pain and suffering due to the Phoenix pay system. For our members living in Quebec, you must also file a notice of objection against the notice of assessment from the Agence du revenu du Québec (ARQ). You will find all the necessary information, including suggested wording, on our website (www.ute-sei.org) to help you file a notice of objection. We published messages to this effect on March 3 and July 28.
In August, the PSAC announced that it had successfully negotiated, with the other bargaining agents, major improvements to the Public Service Health Care Plan. The new agreement will take effect on July 1, 2023. As for the negotiations on the Dental Plan, the PSAC has filed an unfair labour practice complaint against Treasury Board for refusing to negotiate a new dental plan for tens of thousands of federal public service workers. For more information, I invite you to visit our website.
Furthermore, I would like to stress that improvements to the Dental Plan and the Public Service Health Care Plan are negotiated separately, outside of collective agreement negotiations. I am taking the time to mention this because we regularly receive requests for bargaining demands on these plans even though we cannot negotiate the terms of the plans during contract negotiations.
I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for all the good work you continue to do, for your exemplary dedication to the people of Canada and for your continued support of your union.
Together we are strong. Never forget that!
Stay safe and take good care of yourself and your loved ones.
In solidarity,
Marc Brière
National President