Workers with the Canada Revenue Agency have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.

Their union announced the result today in a news release on behalf of 35,000 workers represented by the Union of Taxation Employees and the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

“Our members have sent a strong message to CRA,” said Chris Aylward, PSAC national president. “Workers can’t wait, and we’re ready to show this government we won’t let workers fall behind.”

PSAC says the workers have been without a contract for more than a year, “while the cost of living has continued to soar.”

Aylward says the feds still have major concessions on the table, and have yet to respond to the union’s wage proposals.

A final round of negotiations has been set for April 17-20 between PSAC and CRA.

In the meantime, workers will be in a legal strike position as of April 14.

The timing of the strike vote is not lost on anyone.

“Tax season is here,” noted Marc Brière, national president of the Union of Taxation Employees, a branch of PSAC.

“Going on strike is never our first choice. But securing a strong strike mandate now gives us the leverage we need to reach a fair and decent contract. And if we need to take job action to get the collective agreement our members deserve, that’s what we’re prepared to do.”