Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Federal workers to strike if no deal by tonight

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Apr, 2023 10:51 AM
  • Federal workers to strike if no deal by tonight

OTTAWA - The clock is ticking for the government and Canada's largest federal public-service union to reach an agreement by a deadline of 9 p.m. EDT Tuesday evening.

If they don't, some 155,000 workers are prepared to walk off the job on Wednesday, including 35,000 Canada Revenue Agency workers.

Mediated contract negotiations between the Public Service Alliance of Canada and the government began in early April and continued through the weekend in what the union describes as the government's last chance to reach a deal.

Though the contract for CRA employees is being negotiated separately, the Public Service Alliance of Canada said that these employees would strike, too, if no deal was reached with their employer by the same deadline.

Chris Aylward, the union's national president, said at a news conference on Monday morning that workers are prepared to strike for "however long it takes."

Wage increases have been top of mind at the bargaining table.

The Treasury Board released a statement on Monday afternoon saying that it offered the union a nine per cent raise over three years on Sunday, on the recommendation of the third-party Public Interest Commission.

But the union has pushed for annual raises of 4.5 per cent over the next three years, arguing the increases are necessary to keep pace with inflation and the cost of living.

It has also kept issues such as greater limits on contract work, more anti-racism training and provisions for remote work on the table.

"There is still time to reach agreement before strike action begins. We know that the sooner an agreement is reached, the sooner wage increases and benefits reach employees," the Treasury Board, which is responsible for the administration of the federal government, said in a statement on Monday afternoon.

Negotiations over the new contract first began in June 2021, with the union declaring an impasse in May 2022 and both parties filing labour complaints since then.

The union called a strike vote in January, and it announced that members had voted in favour of a strike mandate early last week, days after CRA employees signalled their own intention to take job action if necessary.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Climate group urges 'made-in-Canada' response

Climate group urges 'made-in-Canada' response
The institute says the federal government shouldn't try to match the incentives and subsidies offered by the U.S. and instead tailor its measures for Canada. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has signalled the March 28 budget will include ways to keep Canada competitive as countries transition their economies to cleaner energy and technologies.    

Climate group urges 'made-in-Canada' response

Federal minimum wage rising to $16.65 per hour

Federal minimum wage rising to $16.65 per hour
The federal minimum wage is rising to $16.65 per hour on April 1, up from $15.55. Ottawa set a federal minimum wage of $15 per hour in 2021 and increases it each year based on inflation. The changes are made every year on April 1.

Federal minimum wage rising to $16.65 per hour

Canada's passport backlog 'completely eliminated'

Canada's passport backlog 'completely eliminated'
She also announced that Ottawa is launching a new digital tool that will allow Canadians to check the status of their Service Canada application online, as long as they provide an email address.

Canada's passport backlog 'completely eliminated'

B.C. pharmacist suspended for faked vaccine

B.C. pharmacist suspended for faked vaccine
The College of Pharmacists of BC says on a post on its website that its inquiry committee has suspended Aftabahmed Shaikh for 30 days and placed a permanent letter of reprimand on his file. The college says its inquiry also found that Shaikh altered the pharmacy's software to make his records more difficult to find.

B.C. pharmacist suspended for faked vaccine

Hate crime team joins Kelowna, B.C., assault probe

Hate crime team joins Kelowna, B.C., assault probe
Police say a suspect group has been identified, but no arrests have been made. The reason for the attack and the details linked to it are still being determined and the 21-year-old student is being supported by the Mounties' victim services unit.

Hate crime team joins Kelowna, B.C., assault probe

Surrey morning crash results in road closures in the area of 152nd St

Surrey morning crash results in road closures in the area of 152nd St
Due to the location of the collision and the subsequent downed power line, 64th avenue is closed from 152nd street to 146th street. 148th street is closed from 68th avenue to 62nd avenue. Motorists are asked to avoid the area and find a different route for their morning commute.  

Surrey morning crash results in road closures in the area of 152nd St