In the middle of tax season, the federal government is preparing for a possible shutdown of services linked to the threat of civil servants.
About 156,000 federal public servants and members of the Public Service Confederation of Canada (PSAC) continue to vote.
According to the National President of the Union of Taxation Employees, Marc Brière, a “high turnout” has already been noted in the voting.
I am very confident that we will get a solid mandate from our members, which is commented on.
Marc Brière, national president of the Union of Taxation Employees (file photo)
Photo: Radio-Canada / Hugo Belanger
Last week, however, a contingency plan was put in place to prevent about 1,500 unionized civil servants from participating in the conference, Mr. Brière said in an interview. This is about 4% of employees.
“As of today, nothing has changed. Status Quo »
– Quote from Marc Brière, President of the National Union of Taxation Employees
According to her, no date has been given for her return to the board.
On March 14, 2023, the Agency agreed with the Union of Taxation Employees to identify areas that include services that would be necessary in whole or in part to provide essential services in the strike, confirms Canada Revenue. Management by email.
“The agency has also developed a contingency plan to mitigate risks and impacts on the services it provides to Canadians. »
– Reproduced from Excerpts from an email from the Canada Revenue Agency
This means that they do not have the right to take part in the supervision service during their working hours.
Families, Children and Social Development Minister Karina Gould also said a contingency plan is in the works. However, he was silent about the details of this plan for the diplomats.
According to the Civil Service Alliance, 3,000 members are deputed to diplomatic services.
For its part, the Treasury Board affirms that the government recognizes and respects the right to strike of workers in a right to strike position.
If a strike were to occur, workers who occupy essential positions do not have the right to come and report to work.
“Of the 120,000 members of the core public administration likely to be hit, approximately 46,000 are considered essential in the sense of the law.”
– A passage from Excerpts from an address from the Treasurer’s Table
The service is considered essential when it is reasonably believed to threaten public safety, stopping the work can also be read.
The results of the polls should be known in mid-April.
With information from Patrick Foucault
