The AFS Executive is disheartened by CRA management’s decision to lay off almost 600 term employees on December 13, 2024. CRA management's action to make these layoffs right before the holiday season shows a lack of empathy and compassion.
AFS term employees who have been with the Agency for more than 1 year are entitled to receive a minimum of 2 weeks severance pay on layoff, according to Article 19 of the AFS Collective Agreement. This increases by a week for every additional year of continuous service, and it is prorated for additional partial years.
Unfortunately, management’s lack of compassion continues. Management has told the AFS Executive that they won’t pay severance as your layoff does not meet the definition of “layoff” in the collective agreement. We strongly feel that management’s interpretation of layoff is erroneous and cruel.
We recommend that anyone with at least 1 year of continuous service with the Agency who is facing a layoff file a grievance demanding that they receive severance, per Article 19 of the AFS Collective Agreement.
Please seek the assistance of a local AFS steward or a PIPSC Employment Relations Officer in filing your grievance. These individual grievances must be filed before the layoff date.
If you are having difficulties during this time, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available for you and your family. You are eligible for up to 5 counselling sessions with the EAP provider, Homewood Health.
To schedule an appointment, please contact Homewood Health at 1-800-663-1124 or visit their website (CRA invitation code CRA536). If you wish to access EAP services, please do so before the date of layoff.
If you have any questions, please contact an AFS Executive member.