CRA bargaining: mediation breaks down

Government pushing for an agreement that would expire later this year

Mediation broke down February 27 as the government and CRA refused to address critical issues raised in this round of bargaining, from significant protections for our jobs to compensation to the duration of our collective agreement.

Duration of contract

With respect to duration, the employer is pushing for an agreement that would expire later this year. Our position is that there is no point in signing an agreement that would expire this year when there has been so little progress on the critical issues that we’ve raised in negotiations. What’s more, the government has made it clear that cutting sick leave is a primary goal for the upcoming round of bargaining with public service unions in 2014. It is too late for the government to propose changes to sick leave for this round of negotiations with CRA. Agreeing to a contract that expires in October 2014 would enable the Harper government to put cuts to our sick leave on the table for negotiation this year.

Our position is that we want a fair contract that expires at the end of October 2015. The government has agreed to a 3-year contract for other groups over this cycle of bargaining. We want the same.

We are determined to do everything we can to defend our rights and our benefits

Many of our economic proposals are modeled on what already exists elsewhere in the federal public sector. The proposed annual increases would ensure that our wages keep pace with projected inflation. The employer is taking the position that we are over paid in comparison with other public servants. There has been no negotiation by the employer on compensation. Their position hasn’t changed from day one.

Additional information

There are several other key issues in dispute. For more detailed information concerning the issues outstanding, here

We remain committed to negotiations. We are also committed to achieving a fair contract, one that protects our hard fought gains and provides new rights and protections for UTE/PSAC members at CRA.

Over the next several weeks we will be scheduling membership meetings across the country to discuss negotiations. We will be sure to update as things progress. Be sure to go to www.psacunion.ca for more information.