Federal workers ready to strike for ‘fair’ wages

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This article was published 12/04/2023 (926 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

More than 120,000 federal government employees, including about 5,000 in Manitoba, have voted in favour of a strike mandate, while calling for “fair” wages to keep up with the rising cost of living.

Employed by the Treasury Board, the workers include staff who process employment insurance, passport and immigration applications, some technicians at Winnipeg’s National Microbiology Lab and teachers in prisons.

“This is a result of them feeling they’re not being heard,” Marianne Hladun, the Public Service Alliance of Canada’s regional executive vice-president for the Prairies, said of the “solid” strike mandate.

PSAC can launch a strike at any time in the next 60 days, with national president Chris Aylward saying workers were prepared to strike as soon as Wednesday.

Hladun said the union hopes to see the employer return to the bargaining table with a “respectful, fair deal.”

The goal, she said, is to reach a tentative agreement and avoid a strike.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who visited Winnipeg on Wednesday, said the government believes in collective bargaining and is looking closely to ensure that it can still deliver important services.

Trudeau acknowledged that some federal workers are hurting.

“We know they are challenged with the rising cost of living as so many people are. We see inflation starting to come down and those conversations will continue to happen at the bargaining table,” he said.

The Treasury Board of Canada said the government is committed to reaching an agreement with the union as soon as possible.

Hladun said this round of bargaining is about wage increases for staff who make between $40,000 and $65,000 a year.

“Without it, in effect, it’s a pay cut for members,” she said, citing rising costs for life essentials.

In addition to wages, the union is fighting for the right to work remotely for those who can, said Hladun.

The union said it will not compromise on its wage demands for movement on the hybrid workplace.

Sharon DeSousa, the national executive vice-president, said PSAC also wants to discuss ending contract work and implementing more anti-racism training for all federal workers and managers.

With about 35,000 members who are deemed essential workers, the union may take a staggered approach if it decides to strike to ensure some workers remain on the job at all times.

Some services, including the processing of immigration and employment insurance applications, are already backlogged.

Negotiations between the government and PSAC began in June 2021. Both parties have filed labour complaints.

The union called the strike vote in January after talks reached an impasse. Members had until Tuesday to cast their votes.

The two sides, which began mediated negotiations earlier this month, are back at the bargaining table this week.

On April 7, Canada Revenue Agency staff, including about 3,800 in Manitoba, voted for their own strike mandate.

— Staff and The Canadian Press