The Union of Taxation Employees (UTE) acknowledges yesterday's update from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on the 100-Day Service Improvement Plan and the measures announced to reduce wait times and improve access to services as we head into tax filing season.
After our PSAC-UTE bargaining team declared impasse in February, the Federal Public Service Labour Relations and Employment Board (FPSLREB) set
Sisters, Brothers, and Friends,
Dear Sisters, Brothers and Friends,
Late yesterday afternoon, we were informed by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) that the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat had informed them that the federal government had decided to increase the mandatory presence in the office of its public service workers to four days a week as of July 6, 2026, while executives will be required to be in the office five days a week as of May 4, 2026.
A few minutes later, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) sent us the same news.
In 2021, policy grievances were filed challenging aspects of the federal government’s COVID-19 vaccination policies, including the continued placement of some employees on administrative leave without pay and the application of the policy to employees working remotely.
The Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board (FPSLREB) has now issued its decision on the employers’ objections to jurisdiction.
The Board ruled that:
Sisters, Brothers and Friends,
As you know, on February 5, the federal government announced its intention to increase mandatory on-site presence to four days per week for federal public service workers, effective July 6, 2026. This announcement was made without any consultation with the unions.
That same day, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced that it would comply with this new directive, even though the Agency is a separate employer from the Treasury Board and is only “encouraged to follow the same approach.”
Sisters, Brothers and Friends,
Sisters, Brothers, and Friends,
Over the past few days, rumours have been circulating that the federal government is seriously considering forcing employees who currently work remotely—partially or entirely—to return to the office full time.
Yesterday, some media reports suggested that the Carney government is indeed looking at increasing in-office presence to four days per week in 2026 and to five days per week as of January 1, 2027.
PSAC congratulates Scott Brison on his appointment as President of the Treasury Board Secretariat and looks forward to working together to restore public services and improve working conditions for public sector workers.
“The integrity of and respect for the public service was a central issue during the election campaign for our members and for Canadians who rely on the vital services our members provide,” said Robyn Benson, National President of PSAC. “We look forward to turning the page and working together to rebuild and restore that trust.”
Our PSAC-UTE Bargaining Team’s most recent meetings with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) took place on January 20. Our team met this past Friday to discuss the situation and it is clear that we have no choice but to declare impasse in negotiations.
Declaring an impasse triggers the next step in the collective bargaining process. In this case, it means that PSAC-UTE has requested a conciliation process from the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board (FPSLREB).
