Update - CRA/UTE Panel on Virtual Work Agreements

Update on the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Union of Taxation Employees (UTE) Panel on Virtual Work Agreements

Further to the Letter of Agreement between the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the Union of Taxation of Employees (UTE), concluded during the last round of bargaining, the parties have met on numerous occasions to create the Terms of Reference for the CRA and PSAC-UTE Panel for Virtual Work Agreements and to discuss the procedures for the operation of the Panel.

Please be advised that the process is now in effect for employees represented by the UTE who have already filed a grievance or will be filing a grievance regarding the application of the Requirement for Onsite Presence at the CRA and the Directive on Virtual Work Arrangement to refer their grievance to the Panel, should they so choose.

Once an active grievance has been transmitted to the final level of the grievance process, an employee can make a request via their UTE National Office Labour Relations Officer for a review by the Panel, in which case the grievance will be placed in abeyance pending a recommendation by the Panel.

The Panel will endeavour to make a non-binding recommendation to the delegated authority of the final grievance level, the Assistant Commissioner of the Human Resources Branch, within 60 days from the date of the meeting where the grievance was presented to the Panel. The employee will receive a grievance response from the Assistant Commissioner of the Human Resources Branch and a copy of the response will be provided to the UTE National Office Labour Relations Officer. This response will detail the delegated authority’s decision and any corrective measures granted, if applicable.  

The Panel will meet on a monthly basis to deliberate and make recommendations on grievances referred to it. Employees who wish to have their grievances referred to the Panel should consult their UTE National Office Labour Relations Officer. The Union Chairperson of the Panel will advise the Panel Secretary of the referral upon receipt of notice by the employee of their election to have their grievance considered by the Panel.

For additional details regarding the role and the Terms of Reference of the Panel, as well as the review process, please refer to the Letter of Agreement (attached below) concluded during the last round of bargaining between the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the Public Service Alliance of Canada-Union of Taxation Employees (PSAC-UTE). In this Letter of Agreement, the parties have created a Panel on Virtual Work Agreements.

The purpose of the Panel is to help address dissatisfaction with decisions resulting from the application of both the CRA’s Directive on Virtual Work Arrangements and the Requirement for on-site presence at the CRA, which may be amended from time to time.

For more information regarding the process to refer a grievance to the Panel, members may consult the Terms of Reference (attached below) or contact one of their local PSAC-UTE union representatives.