CRA bargaining: negotiations to reconvene in April

Our UTE/PSAC bargaining team met with the CRA for three days of talks this week.

Unfortunately we did not reach an agreement, although we spent considerable time discussing the issues outstanding with the CRA.

The parties have jointly agreed to reconvene in negotiations from April 25 to 27. Our hope is that we might finally reach an agreement with the Agency at that time.

We’ll be sure to update you as things progress.

ARC : Les négociations se poursuivront en avril

Notre équipe de négociation SEI/AFPC a repris les négociations avec l’ARC trois jours cette semaine.

Nous avons longuement discuté des enjeux en suspens avec l’Agence, mais nous ne sommes malheureusement pas parvenus à une entente.

Dans l’espoir de finalement conclure une nouvelle convention collective, les deux parties ont pris la décision de reprendre les pourparlers, du 25 au 27 avril prochain.

Nous vous tiendrons au courant des développements.

For sister Madonna Gardiner

Bob Campbell

National President

Union of Taxation Employees

***The English version. La version française suit***

Sisters and Brothers,

I am pleased to announce that we have secured dates to go back to the bargaining table. The teams will be meeting on March 21, 22 and 23, 2016.

I would like to thank all of our members who have taken the time to show support to the team in many ways such as; the grievance campaign, meeting with and/or writing to your MP, etc. Thanks to your hard work, our campaign to get back to the table has been successful in securing the above noted dates.

A further communication will be coming from PSAC shortly.

In Solidarity;

Madonna Z. Gardiner

2nd National VP, UTE

Member of the PSAC/UTE Bargaining Team

***La version française. The English version precedes***

Consoeurs et confrères,

Il me fait plaisir d’annoncer que nous avons obtenu des dates de retour à la table de négociations. Les équipes vont se rencontrer les 21, 22 et 23 mars 2016.

J’aimerais remercier tous nos membres qui ont pris le temps de démontrer leur support à l’équipe de plusieurs façons telles que: la campagne de griefs, rencontre avec et/ou message écrit à votre député, etc. Grâce à votre travail acharné, notre campagne visant un retour à la table a été couronné de succès en ce qui concerne l’obtention des dates ci-haut mentionnées.

Une communication subséquente sera envoyée très bientôt par l’AFPC.

En toute solidarité,

Madonna Z. Gardiner

2e vice-présidente nationale, SEI

Membre de l’équipe de négociation de l’AFPC/SEI

March 3, 2016

The PSAC and UTE have been pressuring Treasury Board and CRA to get back to the table and negotiate a fair agreement.

Thanks to the Locals who are coming up with innovative ideas to support the Negotiating Team and we encourage others to do the same. It is only through the members demonstrating their support that we will be able to negotiate a fair agreement.

In Solidarity;

Madonna Z. Gardiner

2nd National Vice President, UTE

Member of the PSAC/UTE Bargaining Team

Sent on behalf of Madonna Gardiner / Envoyé de la part de Madonna Gardiner

You may be aware that PIPSC put out a bulletin Feb. 23, 2016 indicating “It’s our understanding that CRA has also been given a new mandate by Treasury Board” UTE has no knowledge of a new mandate given by Treasury Board. In the event there is a change to this and/or if we secure bargaining dates, you will be notified as soon as possible.

Vous savez peut-être que l’IPFPC a émis un bulletin le 23 février 2016 indiquant “Il est de notre compréhension que l’ARC a été donné un nouveau mandat par le Conseil du Trésor.” Le SEI n’a pas connaissance d’un nouveau mandat donné par le Conseil du Trésor. En cas de tout changement de ce et/ou si nous obtenons les dates de négociation, vous serez informé dès que possible.

In Solidarity / En toute solidarité

Madonna Z. Gardiner

Sent on behalf of Bob Campbell / Envoyé de la part de Bob Campbell

I had a meeting with Andrew Treusch yesterday to discuss bargaining. We both agreed that we would only make the following public statement.. “We met on February 18th, and agreed to meet again very soon.”

In Solidarity,

J’ai rencontré Andrew Treusch hier pour discuter des négociations. Nous nous sommes entendus pour nous limiter à la déclaration publique suivante : « Nous nous sommes rencontrés le 18 février et nous avons convenu de nous revoir très bientôt. »

En toute solidarité,

Robert Campbell

National President / Président national

Your PSAC/UTE bargaining team met on February 16^th and 17^th.  As was indicated in the Feb. 5^th update, this meeting was to have discussions to evaluate our position as a bargaining team and determine next steps.  We also discussed future actions to demonstrate support for the team. More information on this will be shared in the coming weeks.

Our National UTE President, Brother Bob Campbell, has received a reply to his letter to the Minister of National Revenue.  This reply was received on February 11, 2016.  In light of this response, Brother Campbell was scheduled to meet with the CRA’s Commissioner, Andrew Treusch on Thursday, February 18^th.  No update was available prior to the issuance of this memo.

We are hoping to be back at the bargaining table – with an employer that is finally ready to negotiate with us – in the very near future.

Once again, we want to thank all the members who have shown their support through the grievance process, writing and/or visiting your MP and writing the Commissioner. Please see a member of your executive to file a grievance or find out more about these campaigns in support of the bargaining team.

In Solidarity;

Madonna Z. Gardiner
2^nd National Vice President, UTE
Member of the PSAC/UTE Bargaining Team

There have been no further developments with regard to securing meeting dates between the CRA and PSAC/UTE bargaining teams nor on the meeting our National UTE President has been trying to set up with the president of Treasury Board.  So unfortunately I have no updates on those issues.

It has been decided that the PSAC bargaining team representing UTE members will be scheduling a meeting within the next couple of weeks for the team to reconvene and have discussions.  These discussions are to evaluate our position as a bargaining team and determine next steps.

We will keep you updated as things proceed.

We want to thank all the members who have shown their support through the grievance process and encourage others to do the same.  Please see a member of your executive to file a grievance or find out more about this campaign in support of the bargaining team.

In solidarity;

Madonna Z. Gardiner
2^nd National Vice President, UTE
Member of the PSAC/UTE Negotiating Team

From: Madonna Gardiner

Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2016 8:48 AM

To: Bob Campbell; Benjamin Miller; lin collins

Cc: Annette Melanson

Thank you brother Campbell for your response.

________________________________________

From: Bob Campbell

Sent: January 26, 2016 8:43:42 AM

To: Benjamin Miller; lin collins

Cc: Annette Melanson; Madonna Gardiner

Good Morning Linda and Ben, I know that you both have emailed Madonna and she has replied but I hope you do not mind if I make a few comments.

This has been a very hard round of negotiations and when it started we sent out information to stating that it was going to be a long time. I have spoke to your members at agms and also made that statement. Being back under TB has lengthen this process and the fact they the Government was looking for concessions with small wage increases did not help. Other groups did sign off and took cuts that you talk to most are not happy about. We have sent out more information on this round of bargaining than ever before, plus we have had two town hall telephone calls, and I have sent out all RVPs to walk around offices and answer questions on Bargaining. There was no communication from December 2nd from the national (we did send out the newsletter) until sister Madonna email last week as there was not much to say as the new government is not set up and ready to work. We must stay strong as this is for all our members now and in the future. Is it tough, with out a doubt, the members are anger and take it out on the union because we are in front of them, The government or CRA do not get the anger, as for leaving the union and taking there dues somewhere else I am sorry that is not possible as the grounds are very small and hard to meet.

But we need to talk to the members, we need to give them the information that was sent out last march showing how this is such a bad deal.

As for the PSAC I totally understand you frustration and agree sometimes it feels like we are forgotten, (except when they want work done) but we can use the process they are putting in place to get the cards signed to return to the CRA table, and also talk to MPS about the two anti union bills and returning to the CRA table. But your executive can only do what it can, I appreciate all the hard work and efforts that you all put in. It is a tough time to be a union Rep, but we are doing it for al the members and that is because we care. Thank you, and I hope you both, and Madonna do not mind my comments.

Robert Campbell

National President UTE

Président national SEI

613 235 6704 (office/bureau)

613 868 5947 (Cell/Cel)

www.ute-sei.org

I’m writing not only as a local president but as a member in good standing with UTE. Being with one off the largest locals, with a great number of virtual reports, a lot of comments come to us from the members. With the lack of previous communication and now several emails, members are more confused and frustrated.

You ask us to support the bargaining team, but what support are our members getting? It is unconscionable that we have gone four years with nothing and potentially going into five with nothing. Our members are getting into more trouble, more ‘mostly meets’ or ‘does not meets’ then in many previous years. The apathy that is being felt by the members is seen in each day when more chatter is taking place then work.

Our members are not anger with management or the government, they are anger at the Union for not providing a visible fight for a contract. PSAC talk of all others – are we the forgotten…. And yet we are asked to support ‘the team’!

Our members are starting to feel serious financial failure with the rising cost of living and no increase in wages. Those with large families are especially vulnerable and will soon be in need of help. To say the situation is reaching desperation is an understatement.

Members have asked how they can redirect their Union dues, asked if we can break away and join another Union or be our own. Many would like to see a survey from the National office asking what they would like as members, what they are willing to do to help. It’s very sad but we are loosing our members and it will be very difficult to get back their trust and faith.

In hopes of better times…

Linda Collins- Local 00013

Sent on behalf of Madonna Gardiner / Envoyé de la part de Madonna Gardiner

*** English version. La version française suit***

As the UTE 2nd National Vice President responsible for bargaining, I am writing to all members to give you an update on our negotiations.

We are trying to keep you informed of our attempts to return to the table and we understand that everyone is frustrated with the length of time this round of bargaining is taking. I am committing to you that I will post on the UTE website an update every two weeks. These updates may not contain any new information but they will keep you up to date.

To date:

• On December 2, 2015 our National UTE President, Bob Campbell, provided an update on the state of negotiations with the CRA. Also in December, the National President’s message in the UTE Newsletter focused on bargaining.
• Unfortunately, I am not able to bring you good news. Nothing has changed since that update. The Minister of National Revenue has still not responded to Brother Campbell’s letter requesting a meeting and asking that the CRA return to the negotiations table with a mandate to settle our contract.
• We have no dates to return to the bargaining table. We have asked and our team is ready to go back and negotiate a fair and reasonable collective agreement. We have been without an agreement since October 31, 2012 and I can assure you the bargaining team shares the frustration of the membership. The CRA has no new mandate at this time and we continue to hope the new government will change this. Brother Campbell is still in the process of securing a meeting with the new Treasury Board President, Scott Brison.
• In order to put pressure on the CRA, we have launched a grievance campaign. We are asking all members to file a grievance in an attempt to get the CRA back to the table to negotiate a fair and reasonable collective agreement. I encourage each of you to contact a Local Executive Officer to complete the required paperwork. Also, please contact your Member of Parliament and ask for their help in putting pressure on the Treasury Board to allow CRA to negotiate. Also, you can email the CRA Commissioner and request that they return to the table. All such actions will help to end this long round of negotiations.
• You may have seen over the past few weeks that the PSAC Treasury Board and the PIPSC teams have dates to go back to table in February. These are separate bargaining teams. We are the PSAC – CRA bargaining team. The establishment of these dates confuses us since the new Government has not yet determined its negotiations mandate. In order to get the correct information on our bargaining I would encourage members to speak to their local representatives and refer to this web page periodically.

We have heard from the membership that you want the teams to go back to the bargaining table and that is what your bargaining team wants as well. We all have to work together to make this happen

We have stood together through this long process and together we can reach a fair contract for all of us. Please show your support for the Bargaining team and speak to your Local representative regarding all bargaining activities.

In Solidarity,

Madonna Z. Gardiner, 2nd National Vice-President, UTE

Member of the PSAC/UTE Negotiating Team

***La version française. The English version precedes***

En tant que 2^e vice‑présidente nationale du Syndicat des employé-e-s de l’Impôt (SEI) et responsable de la négociation, j’écris aux membres pour faire le point sur nos négociations.

Nous essayons de vous informer de nos tentatives de retourner à la table, et nous comprenons que tout le monde soit frustré par la longueur de la présente ronde de négociation. Je m’engage envers vous à afficher sur le site Web du SEI une mise à jour toutes les deux semaines. Ces mises à jour ne contiendront peut-être pas d’information nouvelle, mais vous serez au courant de l’état des négociations.

Le point

• Le 2 décembre 2015, notre président national du SEI, Bob Campbell, a fait le point sur l’état des négociations avec l’ARC. Aussi en décembre, le message du président national dans le Communiqué du SEI mettait l’accent sur la négociation.
• Malheureusement, je n’ai aucune bonne nouvelle à vous annoncer. Rien n’a changé depuis cette dernière mise à jour. La ministre du Revenu national n’a toujours pas répondu à la lettre du confrère Campbell, dans laquelle ce dernier demandait une rencontre et exprimait le souhait que l’ARC revienne à la table de négociation avec le mandat de régler notre contrat.
• Aucune date de retour à la table de négociation ne nous a été communiquée. Nous en avons fait la demande, et notre équipe est prête à retourner à la table et à négocier une convention collective juste et raisonnable. Nous sommes sans contrat de travail depuis le 31 octobre 2012, et je peux vous assurer que l’équipe de négociation partage la frustration des membres. L’ARC n’a aucun nouveau mandat pour l’instant, et nous continuons à espérer que le nouveau gouvernement lui en donnera un. Le confrère Campbell essaie toujours d’obtenir une rencontre avec le nouveau président du Conseil du Trésor, Scott Brison.
• Afin d’exercer de la pression sur l’ARC, nous avons lancé une campagne de griefs. Nous demandons à tous les membres de déposer un grief dans l’espoir que l’ARC revienne à la table et négocie une convention collective juste et raisonnable. J’encourage chacune et chacun d’entre vous à communiquer avec une dirigeante ou un dirigeant de votre section locale pour remplir les documents nécessaires. Veuillez aussi communiquer avec votre député fédéral et lui demander qu’il exerce de la pression sur le Conseil du Trésor afin que ce dernier permette à l’ARC de négocier. Vous pouvez aussi envoyer un courriel au commissaire de l’ARC et lui demander que l’ARC revienne à la table. Toutes ces mesures nous aideront à conclure cette longue ronde de négociation.
• Vous avez peut‑être vu au cours des dernières semaines que les équipes de l’AFPC, du Conseil du Trésor et de l’IPFPC ont des dates prévues de retour à la table en février. Il s’agit d’équipes de négociation distinctes. Nous sommes l’équipe de négociation AFPC-ARC. Ces dates créent de la confusion dans notre esprit, car le nouveau gouvernement n’a pas encore déterminé son mandat de négociation. Pour que vous obteniez de l’information exacte sur nos négociations, je vous encourage à parler à vos représentants locaux et à consulter la présente page Web régulièrement.

Nous avons entendu les membres, qui souhaitent que les équipes retournent à la table de négociation, et c’est ce que votre équipe de négociation souhaite également. Nous devons travailler tous ensemble pour que cela arrive. Nous sommes restés unis pendant ce long processus, et c’est en restant unis que nous pourrons obtenir un contrat juste pour nous tous. Je vous demande de montrer votre appui à votre équipe de négociation et de parler à votre représentant local pour tout ce qui touche les négociations.

En toute solidarité,

Madonna Z. Gardiner, 2^e vice-présidente nationale, SEI

Membre de l’équipe de négociation AFPC-SEI