News release

August 28, 2003   

PSAC challenges CCRA to update its approach to bargaining

OTTAWA – All the activity to modernize and reform the federal public service doesn't seem to have penetrated as far as the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) according to the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).

“The union wanted this round of bargaining to be different and we thought the Agency was on board,” says PSAC National President Nycole Turmel.   “Traditionally, negotiations in the federal public sector have started after the expiry dates of collective agreements and then have taken months, even years, to complete.

“We are negotiating our third agreement with the CCRA and felt that it was time that the Agency agreed to a more modern and streamlined way to bargain.   Our aim was to be well on the way to a new agreement before the current one had expired.”

According to Customs and Excise Union Douanes Accise National President Ron Moran, “the union wanted to exchange demands with the employer as early as August 1 st , the day notice to bargain was served.   From there, we were prepared to devote large blocks of time to negotations.”

“CCRA initially showed interest in accelerating the usual slow pace of negotiations,” says Betty Bannon, National President of the Union of Taxation Employees.   “However, the employer did not meet the August 1st date to exchange demands and have only agreed to meet for a few days before the agreement expires in October.”

“We're not prepared to put up with an approach to bargaining that involves a few days of negotiations at a time, “indicates Turmel.   “In fact, it's actually a step backwards from the last round when the employer agreed to one session of 18 straight days of bargaining.   So far, they have only agreed to sessions of a week or less.   Long breaks between sessions interrupt the rythym of negotiations and unnecessarily prolong the process.

New salary rates and economic increases are among the major issues up for negotiation. CCRA is introducing a new classification standard which could chart a course for new classification standards in the federal public service.   Another key issue is a package of demands related to improving working conditions, training and health and safety of the customs officers who are protecting Canada's border and entry points.

To date, CCRA has refused to give term employees indeterminate status after three years, as is the case with Treasury Board, and this issue is now at the bargaining table.   Same-sex marriage is another issue which will be discussed as both parties have tabled demands related to improved recognition for same sex relationships.   The PSAC has also tabled a demand for CCRA to contribute to the union's newly established Social Justice Fund.

PSAC represents approximately 30,000 CCRA employees.   The collective agreement expires on October 31, 2003.   The parties spent August 27 and 28 explaining their demands.   Negotiations are currently scheduled to resume on September 29.

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For information: Betty Bannon, UTE national president, (613) 235-6704

Ron Moran, CEUDA national president, (613) 723-8008, ext. 301

Louise Laporte, PSAC Communications, (613) 560-4287

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