Union Begins Bargaining

Union Begins Bargaining

September 2003

Our collective agreement expires on October 31, 2003.

The Collective Bargaining process begins with a call for proposals from the Collective Bargaining Branch of the PSAC (our bargaining agent) to all locals (your work place), through their components (Union of Taxation Employees). All locals receive an information package, which includes a list of possible bargaining demands. The members have the opportunity to submit demands other than those listed, as well as the opportunity to prioritise the demands. The results of this input call for demands are then prioritised by the Component bargaining committees, and then reported back to the membership. This input from the membership is the foundation for the developed bargaining demands. The bargaining demands that are ultimately accepted by the Collective Bargaining Branch reflect the needs and concerns of the membership in its entirety, and are agreed upon by consensus. They are the result of a democratic process, which is a basic foundation of this union. The bargaining team, composed of representatives from all involved components then proceed to negotiations with the employer. It is the responsibility of all members of this team to ensure that the concerns of their members are represented in the bargaining process.

Here is a summary of what has happened to date in our bargaining process.

  • An input call for demands was issued on March 28, 2003 with a deadline of May 9th.
  • The Bargaining Committee met from July 12 to 15, 2003 to prioritise the demands.
  • The Notice to Bargain was submitted to the CCRA on August 1, 2003 by the PSAC.
  • The demands will be communicated to you after the exchange of bargaining demands with the employer, which took place August 19th.
  • The Bargaining Committee met Aug 25 and 26th to review the employer’s demands. They met with the employer face to face for the first time on Aug 27 and 28th to explain their demands.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind you, that bargaining with the CCRA is not a holiday. The collective bargaining process is a long and arduous one. The demands we are submitting are the expectations of the workers. We expect fair and equitable treatment. These are not far-fetched demands; they are requirements for or improvements to our working conditions.

Bargaining involves all workers. Our bargaining team members will fight long and hard knowing they have the members’ support.

SUPPORT YOUR BARGAINING TEAM