PSAC-UTE and CRA reach tentative agreement, ending two-week national strike

See full details of tentative agreementsĀ 

 

THE Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Union of Taxation Employees (UTE) have reached a tentative agreement with the Canada Revenue Agency for more than 35,000 federal public service workers. The agreement puts an immediate end to the nationwide general strike for all PSAC members that began on April 19.

ā€œPSAC-UTE members held the line together and secured a fair contract that keeps up with the cost of living, increased protections around remote work, and creates safer, more inclusive workplaces,ā€ said Chris Aylward, PSAC National President, on Thursday.

The new collective agreement ā€“ in effect from October 2021 to October 2025 ā€“ provides wage increases that close the gap with inflation, totaling 12.6% in compounded wage increases over the term of the contract. PSAC secured an additional fourth year in the agreement that protects workers from inflation for the final year of the contract, as well as a pensionable lump sum payment of $2,500, and addresses PSAC-UTE membersā€™ key priorities on remote work, hours of work, contracting out and seniority.

Together with Treasury Board members, over 100,000 PSAC members joined more than 250 picket lines across the country throughout the strike. PSAC members workingĀ for CRA will return to workĀ May 4.

ā€œUnion of Taxation Employeesā€™ members have been there for Canadians during the pandemic not only to resolve tax issues, but to deliver vital emergency financial aid to millions of Canadians in record time,ā€ said Marc BriĆØre, Union of Taxation Employees National President.

ā€œCRA call centre members also stepped in to assist with the passport and Afghanistan refugee crisis when the government needed themĀ most,ā€ BriĆØre added. ā€œIā€™m incredibly proud of our members that supported our bargaining team on the picket lines to help us secure theĀ fair contract that they deserve.ā€™

The Public Service Alliance of Canada is Canadaā€™s largest federal public service union, representing nearly 230,000 workers in every province and territory in Canada, including more than 120,000 federal public service workers employed by Treasury Board, and more than 35,000 employed by the Canada Revenue Agency.