{"id":807,"date":"2020-03-17T18:21:58","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T23:21:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/00013ute.org\/?p=807"},"modified":"2020-03-17T18:21:58","modified_gmt":"2020-03-17T23:21:58","slug":"covid-19-update-march-17-2020-mise-a-jour-sur-la-covid-19-17-mars-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/00013ute.org\/index.php\/2020\/03\/17\/covid-19-update-march-17-2020-mise-a-jour-sur-la-covid-19-17-mars-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19 Update – March 17, 2020 \/ Mise \u00e0 jour sur la COVID-19 – 17 mars 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

COVID-19 Update – March 17, 2020<\/h2>\r\n

Hello Sisters and Brothers,<\/p>\r\n

As a result of the many discussions we have had with the employer over the past few days, please find below a message from the CRA Commissioners’ Office.<\/p>\r\n

As you will see, additional measures are being put in place to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 and to significantly reduce the number of employees who will be working in the various CRA offices.<\/p>\r\n

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Benefit payments to beneficiaries and related functions deemed essential will be maintained but with a reduced presence in the workplace.<\/p>\r\n

Agency offices will not necessarily close.<\/p>\r\n

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But it is clear that tax centres will see a significant reduction in the number of employees coming to their premises.<\/p>\r\n

Initial (T1) returns will not be processed as usual. Only those transactions necessary for recipients to obtain their benefits will still be done.<\/p>\r\n

As for the call centres, their capacity will be significantly reduced and work will be done almost exclusively remotely.<\/p>\r\n

We will continue to monitor the situation very closely and will therefore be in daily contact with the employer.<\/p>\r\n

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We will of course keep you informed of any important developments.<\/p>\r\n

Finally, I would like to inform you that we will be issuing a message to our members as soon as possible.<\/p>\r\n

In solidarity,<\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

Bonjour consoeurs et confrères,<\/p>\r\n

Suite aux nombreuses discussions que nous avons eu avec l’employeur au cours des derniers jours, veuillez trouver ci-dessous un message provenant du bureau des commissaires de l’ARC.<\/p>\r\n

Comme vous le constaterez, des mesures supplémentaires sont mises en place afin de diminuer le risque de propagation de la COVID-19 et de réduire de façon significative le nombre d’employés qui travailleront dans les différents bureaux de l’ARC.<\/p>\r\n

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Les versements de prestations aux bénéficiaires et les fonctions connexes jugées essentielles seront maintenus mais avec une présence réduite sur les lieux de travail.<\/p>\r\n

Les bureaux de l’Agence ne vont pas nécessairement fermer leurs portes.<\/p>\r\n

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Mais il est clair que les centres fiscaux verront une réduction importante des employés qui viennent dans leurs locaux.<\/p>\r\n

Les déclarations initiales (T1) ne seront pas traités comme d’habitude. Seules les opérations nécessaires aux bénéficiaires pour obtenir leurs prestations seront encore effectuées.<\/p>\r\n

Quant aux centres d’appels, leur capacité sera considérablement réduite et le travail sera effectué presque exclusivement à distance.<\/p>\r\n

Nous continuerons de suivre l’évolution de la situation de très près et allons donc avoir des contacts quotidiens avec l’employeur.<\/p>\r\n

Nous vous tiendrons évidemment au courant de tout développement important.<\/p>\r\n

Finalement, je tiens à vous informer que nous émettrons un message à l’intention de nos membres le plus rapidement possible.<\/p>\r\n

En toute solidarité,<\/p>\r\n

\r\n

Marc Brière<\/p>\r\n

Président national \/ National President<\/p>\r\n

Syndicat des employé-e-s de l’Impôt \/ Union of Taxation Employees<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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English version *** La version française suit ***<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

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Good afternoon,<\/p>\r\n

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Like other departments and agencies across the federal government, the CRA has fundamental responsibility to continue to provide certain critical services to Canadians, and to contribute to the wider Government of Canada pandemic effort. If some of us are being asked to continue reporting to work, either in the workplace or remotely, it is because we are providing a critical services to Canadians. Your efforts during this difficult time are appreciated.<\/p>\r\n

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Since our last message, the situation has continued to evolve. Today, we are announcing further changes to workplace restrictions to ensure your health and safety, and to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Effective today, March 17, 2020, and until April 5, 2020: <\/p>\r\n

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  • We will continue to ensure the continuity of benefits payments to benefit recipients and associated functions, but will be proceeding with a more limited on site presence in HQ and the field.<\/li>\r\n
  • We will respond to incoming calls received in CRA’s call centres, which will operate at a significantly reduced capacity by relying almost exclusively on our remote call centre workforce for the remainder of the week.<\/li>\r\n
  • We continue to be in a position to support activities associated with the CRA’s contribution to the Government of Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially as it relates to supporting Canada’s economic resilience during the pandemic. At this time, these activities mainly involve contributions from Headquarters personnel in the Assessment, Benefits and Services Branch (ABSB) and the Information Technology Branch (ITB) that can, for the most part, be performed remotely.<\/li>\r\n
  • We will, of course, continue to support activities associated with the CRA’s internal management of our organization’s response to the pandemic, especially as it relates to the safety and security of our workforce, and that can, for the most part, be performed remotely.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

     <\/p>\r\n

    As more remote working equipment becomes available, over the next 24 hours, managers will be reaching out to those of you who are impacted by these changes to ensure you are set up and able to work remotely. If you have any questions, please reach out to your manager.<\/p>\r\n

     <\/p>\r\n

    This latest direction reflects our discussions with our union colleagues, who, together with CRA senior management, have been considering how best to implement increased measures to ensure the health and safety of those employees who need to perform critical functions in the workplace, while helping to minimize the spread of the virus. We are grateful for their ongoing collaboration.<\/p>\r\n

     <\/p>\r\n

    Many of us have been continuing to work since COVID-19, some of us in the workplace, others remotely, and many at a more intense pace as we continue to monitor developments and manage the Agency’s response. We wish to thank you, our employees, for your understanding and your continued dedication to service to Canadians as we continue to adjust to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation.<\/p>\r\n

     <\/p>\r\n

    We recognize this situation is causing a great deal of stress for many of you and your friends and families. Please remember you and your family members can reach out to the Employee Assistance Program<\/a> if you need support.<\/p>\r\n

     <\/p>\r\n

    We will continue to monitor the situation and will share updates with you as information becomes available.<\/p>\r\n

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    Canada Revenue Agency – Selected as one of the
    Top 100 Employers in Canada<\/a> for the third year in a row!<\/p>\r\n

     <\/p>\r\n

    To protect the environment, please read this message on your computer screen.<\/p>\r\n

    Managers should make sure that staff who do not have access to email receive this information.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

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Version française *** The English version precedes ***<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

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Bon après-midi,<\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

Comme d’autres ministères et agences au sein du gouvernement fédéral, l’ARC a une responsabilité fondamentale de continuer à fournir des services essentiels aux Canadiens et de contribuer à l’effort plus large du Gouvernement du Canada en ce qui concerne la pandémie. Si certains d’entre nous devons continuer soit à nous présenter au travail, soit de travailler à distance, c’est parce que nous fournissons un service essentiel aux Canadiens. Vos efforts pendant ces circonstances difficiles sont appréciés.<\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

Depuis notre dernier message, la situation a évolué. Aujourd’hui, nous annonçons d’autres changements aux restrictions relatives à notre milieu de travail afin d’assurer votre santé et sécurité, et de minimiser le risque de propagation de COVID-19. À compter d’aujourd’hui, le 17 mars 2020, et jusqu’au 5 avril 2020 :<\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n