MY PERCEPTIONS OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST COMMISSION (PIC) HEARINGS
OCTOBER 8TH AND 9TH, 2014

The case that was presented at the PIC by the PSAC/ UTE negotiators (Morgan Gay and Julie Chiasson) was very thorough and well done. They brought forward our members’ position and clearly outlined and explained the outstanding demands.

It was great to see the room filled with UTE members and executive officers to show support for our bargaining team. 

It was very interesting to sit and listen when Management’s negotiator started to explain the reason why all of our demands are not proper or reasonable.  In the employer’s submissions, we clearly heard the lack of respect and contempt that is held for the workers of CRA. It was difficult to have to stay calm and silent during this diatribe. We heard Management state that the reason we do not have an agreement is that we are being unreasonable. This, in spite of the fact that Management has not been willing to change any of the three main demands in the last two years.

The employer came to the table with what Treasury Board directed them to offer on wages, duration of the contract, and the elimination of severance pay.  They admitted that they cannot negotiate these things, as this is the mandate they have and it must be abided by. The employer’s rationale for these matters, along with their insistence for only a two year agreement was that the CRA had to get in line with the Treasury Board Units.

This is diametrically opposed to the CRA’s position that they advocated to Parliament when the CRA was created. The then Commissioner emphatically stated that one of the major benefits in becoming an agency was that the CRA could negotiate directly with the Unions representing CRA employees and that the CRA was different and unique from the rest of the federal public service.  Since becoming an agency, the subsequent Commissioners were instrumental in taking the Agency as far away from Treasury Board as possible.

Over the years, the parties have negotiated fair contracts for both sides and have maintained a strong working relationship with the unions that benefited all those working at the Agency. Now this new CRA Management abrogates its principles and advocates at the PIC that we do not deserve a fair wage increase, as over the years we have negotiated wages higher than others in the Treasury Board units. The CRA also insists that we must give up our severance pay, as everyone else has already done that. The employer also contends that we should not be compensated for any loss of severance as we have held it longer (two years longer) than anyone else. 

This makes no sense to me as this benefit has been in our contract for years and it was something that was negotiated in place of more significant wage increases at the time. Our members have told us repeatedly that they are not willing to give this up.  Their rationale is ridiculous. It is not acceptable that you should give it up simply because everyone else has done so. It is not acceptable that you do not deserve any compensation for giving it up, simply because you have had it too long now.  I ask you, is this a reasonable way to negotiate, or is it ridiculous?

As for the contract duration, the employer blames the Union for not negotiating and not already accepting their offer. How do you negotiate when someone continually comes to the table with the same offer and makes no changes?  The employer stated in its presentation that if the PIC had not taken so long to convene, we would have had an agreement by now. What great logic!

The Employer admits that it cannot accept a three year deal as Treasury Board has not set its mandate for the third year, as they are just starting negotiations with the other bargaining units. The CRA also concedes that it cannot be a trend setter and we must wait until the other Treasury Board units’ negotiations are concluded.

They also claim that the Union was sending false information in regards to our sick leave. It says that sick leave is not on the table for this round of negotiations and thus the workers at CRA are not being asked to give up anything in regards to sick leave.  This statement is insulting to the Union and its members. We are fully aware that the employer is pushing for a two-year deal so that we can be in line with the Treasury Board units. With this potential alignment, Treasury Board’s strategy is to table changes to our sick leave. How stupid do they think their employees are?

As I said, it was very hard to sit and listen to the total lack of respect and consideration for the employees of CRA and the members of UTE. The employer continually cited that there were no recruitment or retention issues in the SP category. I perceived that they were really inferring that that we can all be replaced in a minute with someone off the street.  There was no consideration for the loyalty of the employees who have made a career with CRA, who care about their jobs, who work in the service of the Canadian people; who go out of their way to do more with less on a daily basis.

The Union of Taxation Employees has just received some information in regards to the bonus compensation for the management cadre. While the employer believes that on one hand, its workers are overpaid and replaceable at a moment’s notice, it has compensated its managers over the last couple of years as follows:
 

Management believes that we will take whatever is offered and be thankful. Let them know that we are not willing to just take its offer, and that we want to negotiate and be treated fairly and with respect. 

It is time to stand up!

Robert Campbell
National President UTE