Renewal of commitment to the Union-Management Philosophy
Today, the President of the Audit, Financial and Scientific Group of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (AFS-PIPSC), Doug Mason, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Commissioner, Bob Hamilton, the CRA Deputy Commissioner, Nancy Chahwan, and myself joined together to renew our commitment to the Union-Management Philosophy by attending a signing ceremony. The Philosophy highlights the importance that we place on a harmonious and transparent union-management relationship and the practical application of an informal conflict resolution approach.
The Union-Management Philosophy is based on:
- equality of the parties within the consultative process;
- mutual trust and respect;
- a commitment to be constructive, fair, sensitive, and courteous in our dealings with each other;
- facilitating constructive decision making and problem solving at the lowest possible level; and
- knowledge and mutual respect of legislation and national union-management policies and understanding of the functions and objectives of each party.
The Philosophy was originally signed in 2005 by former senior representatives of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA), the Union of Taxation Employees (UTE) of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), and the Audit, Finance and Scientific (AFS) Group of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC). Since then, a number of changes have occurred, including a move from the CCRA to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the appointment of new senior representatives.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the National Committee and the Working Group on the Union-Management Approach (UMA) and especially the members representing UTE on the committee for their dedication and excellent work in the in-depth review of the UMA training program.
Our renewed commitment to the Union-Management Philosophy demonstrates our engagement to further develop our positive union-management relationship. This will serve us well on an ongoing basis, allowing open conversation as we work through challenging issues. I encourage all Union of Taxation Employees (UTE) Regional Vice-Presidents and Locals to renew their commitment to the Union-Management philosophy.
Marc Brière
National President
Union of Taxation Employees