Dear Brothers, Sisters and Friends,
As you may be aware, the National Office of the Union of Taxation Employees (UTE) raised with the employer the issue of the late implementation of clause 60.01 of the current collective agreement as early as November 2020 with a view to seeking the employer’s compliance with the collective agreement language surrounding this clause. Since that time, a series of meetings were held with the employer’s authorized representatives and numerous interventions were required by the National Office to obtain compliance and resolve this matter permanently.
Regular updates were sent to Executive Council and Locals on November 17, November 20, November 30, December 2 and December 14, 2020. In addition, verbal updates were provided to Executive Council throughout 2021 as discussions around this matter with the employer progressed until it was ultimately resolved. Furthermore, an update was also provided to all participants at the March 2021 UTE Presidents’ Conference.
There were constant ongoing exchanges between the parties. Despite the delays, I am pleased to inform you that we have finally concluded an agreement on this matter with the employer. We are currently awaiting a copy of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) from the employer in both official languages. Until we are able to provide you with an official copy of this Agreement, this will serve to summarize its highlights:
- The Canada Revenue Agency has agreed to provide 275 minutes not on call to all eligible employees who were on strength and taking calls on the effective date of the implementation of the newly negotiated clause 60.01.
- This time shall be used specifically for professional and/or skill development activities.
- This remedy is to be implemented as soon as operationally feasible and should be taken between April 2021 and no later than November 2021 for Collections and Verification Branch (CVB) employees, and between July 2021 and no later than February 2022 for Assessment, Benefit, Service Branch (ABSB) employees. This time is to be allocated to both permanent and term employees before their contracts come to an end, unless they voluntarily opt to leave their position.
The employer has advised us that Agents are to use the Not Ready – Off-phone (5 min) / hors téléphone (5 min) code to represent these off phone activities.
Should you have any issues or require any clarification, we encourage you to discuss the matter with one of your local union representatives.
In Solidarity,
Marc Brière
National President