Acknowledgements from the National President, Marc Brière

The following video has been posted on our website.

UTE source

Here is the text of the video:

Hello Sisters and Brothers,

As you now know, most of you voted in favour of the tentative agreement reached on July 25^th between our bargaining team and the CRA team.

Finally, we have our new contract! And it’s thanks to you that we have come this far.

You are the union!

Indeed, your unwavering support for our bargaining team has been invaluable and has greatly contributed to our success.

In fact, the CRA and the government had no choice but to recognize your exceptional work and especially what you have accomplished since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As your National President, this makes me very proud and I absolutely want to thank you all very much.

Of course, I would also like to congratulate and thank our bargaining team for their excellent work and great dedication.

Indeed, under the leadership of our Second National Vice-President, Brother Adam Jackson, who is responsible for UTE negotiations, our team has achieved the goals it set out to accomplish:

Which were:

To improve the work-life balance and working conditions for all our members and especially for call centre employees;
and, of course, to achieve wage increases that at least match the cost of living.

In addition to Brother Jackson, I want to thank each and every member of the team. For UTE, they are Brother Jamie vanSydenborgh, who is the Co-chair of our National Bargaining Committee, along with Brothers Gary Esslinger, Greg Krokosh, Cosimo Crupi, Eddy Aristil, Brian Oldford and Shane O’Brien and Sister Michelle Neill. For the PSAC, Brothers Morgan Gay, Negotiator, and Pierre-Samuel Proulx, Research Officer.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank PSAC National President Brother Chris Aylward for his unwavering support.

Finally, I must absolutely acknowledge the ongoing support and commitment of our Locals who have organized a multitude of activities to mobilize and keep you informed throughout this round of bargaining and the UTE Executive Council Officers for their continued support to our Locals and to you, our members.

Thank you so much to all our union representatives, whether at the local, regional or national level. Keep up the great work!

Sisters and Brothers, all together, we have shown once again that solidarity works! Again and always.

And now, what's next?

Well, in the coming weeks, the Governor in Council of the federal government will officially approve the agreement and we will meet with CRA representatives to sign the new collective agreement.

Except for wage increases, almost all of which are retroactive, the terms of the new contract come into effect on the date of signing.

Rest assured that as soon as the contract is signed, you will be the first ones to be informed.

Thank you and take good care of yourself and your loved ones.