BC/Yukon AFS Regional Representative - Report for the 2018 AFS AGM

The collective agreement between CRA and the AFS group ratified by our members on Dec. 20, 2017, three years after the last collective agreement expired. I held many ratification sessions from Oct. to Dec. 2017. The AFS Bargaining Team negotiated a 7.5% increase over four years for all AFS members. There were also 30 other changes and improvements to the collective agreement including a Memorandum of Agreement regarding Employee Wellness Support Program with Treasury Board. Our success in getting a good contract was in part due to the mobilization of our members by displaying the visibility items and by promoting the visibility of public services in our communities.

On the regional level, I attended the subgroup AGMs in BC. It was a good opportunity to meet the subgroup executives and hear the members’ concerns and issues firsthand. I have participated in the quarterly Regional Union Management Consultation Committee meetings where we brought forward our concerns about the many Phoenix pay issues, workload issues between small and large offices, many staffing issues, use of Non-Advertised Staffing, and SPs doing AU work. The subgroup presidents and I have worked closely with Maureen Phelan, Regional Assistant Commissioner, the Regional Director of Human Resources, Manager of Labour Relations and Directors of each office to ensure your concerns and issues are heard.

I would like to thank the subgroup presidents, their executives and stewards for their hard work and dedication. Your issues are important to us, so please continue to inform us about your concerns and issues.

Better Together,

Phil Choo

BC/Yukon AFS Regional Representative

Phone: 250-415-7246

Email: philchoo23@gmail.com