We Got A Deal!
Dear USJE members:
As you are no doubt aware, PSAC announced this morning that they have reached a tentative agreement for the more than 120,000 Treasury Board workers who deliver critical services to Canadians. The agreement will be subject to the vote of eligible PSAC members before being ratified.
However, 35,000 members of the Union of Taxation Employees UTE-PSAC, will remain on strike until they have a tentative agreement with their employer. Now that they have a new mandate in hand from CRA, we anticipate they can move quickly to reach a fair contract for those members.
I want to thank everyone at USJE for your solidarity. Without your sacrifice and commitment, we would not be where we are today. The last two weeks have been very difficult for many, and your participation on the picket line and/or support of those striking made all the difference.
USJE’s locals and Regional Vice Presidents also worked extremely hard to respond to the needs of members on the ground, and keep morale high. USJE’s national office team were there around the clock to share information.
With the national strike now over for Treasury Board workers, members of the PA, SV, TC and EB bargaining groups are required to return to work beginning May 1 at 9 a.m. ET or their next scheduled shift after that date.
PSAC negotiated wage increases totaling 12.6% compounded over the life of the agreement from 2021-2024 as well as a pensionable $2,500 one-time lump sum payment.
Further, PSAC members will now have access to additional protection when subject to arbitrary decisions about remote work.
Managers will be required to assess remote work requests individually, not by group which is key. They must also provide written responses that will allow members and PSAC/USJE to hold the employer accountable to equitable and fair decision-making on remote work.
It is not with a light heart that any labour union in this day and age chooses to strike. However, after two years of protracted negotiations with the Treasury Board, PSAC’s members and its bargaining teams overwhelmingly concluded it was the only way forward.
I want to extend my appreciation to the bargaining teams, many of which had strong USJE representation, for their persistence, their conviction and their success in getting us to this point.
USJE’s commitment to top up pay will not change, and significant efforts are being made to deposit these monies as quickly as possible.
USJE remains available for your concerns and questions.
Thank you again for being an active USJE member. I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished together.
In Solidarity!
David Neufeld
National President
Canada Revenue Agency strike continues as negotiations resume
Strike action continues across the country for 35,000 members at Canada Revenue Agency May 1 as negotiations resume with a new mandate from CRA to reach a fair contract.
Use our picket line finder to find the strike location nearest to you and demonstrate solidarity.
Dispatches from the Line
Congratulations to the final winners of our Dispatches from the Front Line contest, Nicole Akhenak in Edmonton and Chantal Bouffard in Cowansville!
