National

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

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 26 Apr, 2023 11:00 AM

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.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Two dead, two hurt in latest B.C. avalanches

RCMP say the two people died in a slide Monday near Mount McCrae southeast of Revelstoke. Police say they were with a small group heli-skiing in the backcountry near an area known as "Chocolate Bunnies."

Two dead, two hurt in latest B.C. avalanches

Metro hikes dividend 10% as profit climbs

Grocers have come under intense scrutiny in recent months for posting strong profits as many Canadians struggle with higher food costs. Critics have accused grocers of so-called greedflation, suggesting they are profiteering at a time of spiralling inflation.

Metro hikes dividend 10% as profit climbs

Police search for up to 15 youth in TTC assault

Toronto police say officers responded to an area in the city's east end Monday afternoon where a group of 10 to 15 youths, all male, allegedly assaulted two TTC employees. Police described the injuries as minor, noting the initial report noted no obvious signs of injury.

Police search for up to 15 youth in TTC assault

Fiscal room tightening as economy teeters

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said affordability and making Canada competitive were his priorities heading into this cabinet meeting. Ottawa is insisting on accountability for any new health funding and Trudeau has not publicly committed to meet the premiers' demands.

Fiscal room tightening as economy teeters

Man in distress pours milk on his face in a grocery store, turns out he had been victim of an assault

On January 17th at approximately 5:50 pm the New Westminster Police were called to the 800 block of Carnarvon Street to assist a man in distress who was pouring milk on his face inside a grocery store. Officers learned that the man was the victim of an assault and moments earlier he had been assaulted with bear spray in an attempted robbery.

Man in distress pours milk on his face in a grocery store, turns out he had been victim of an assault

Trudeau mum on sending tanks to Ukraine

Nearly a year after Russia's invasion, most members of the NATO military alliance have said they're in favour of giving Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv, but Germany has not. As a major supplier of the tanks, Germany requires that allies seek permission before re-exporting them to other countries, and Berlin has warned against provoking Russia.