Union says government not budging on bargaining position or public service wage offer

OTTAWA — The president of the largest federal public service union says the government isn't budging on its contract offer to federal workers that would see a nine per cent wage increase over three years.

AMAZING support at Parlement Hill for the @psac_afpc strike line today. We need to keep up the pressure on the gov't and the support for PSAC members!! @OPSEU members are our here with you!! #Solidarity pic.twitter.com/EQdWRrgRw2

— Melissa Coenraad (she/her/elle) (@MelissaCoenraad) April 26, 2023

Chris Aylward says the government told the union by email Tuesday evening that it would not move from its latest offer, signalling a stalemate in the negotiations.

Today marks day eight since 155,000 public servants walked off the job to call for higher wages, and work-from-home provisions, among other things.

Aylward says the union has adjusted its initial ask for a 13.5 per cent wage increase to keep up inflation but he will not say what the new wage request is.

Treasury Board President Mona Fortier says in a written statement today that she wants to make an agreement quickly, but the government won't sign an agreement that Canadians can't afford.

The parties remain at the negotiating table while the strike continues.

Aylward called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to get personally involved in the negotiations.