120,000 striking workers reach deal with Canada's government

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
2 May 11:20

The deal ends a 12-day strike for Treasury Board employees.

Picketers march on Parliament Hill as approximately 155,000 public sector union workers with the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) continue to strike, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada April 26, 2023. (Reuters)

Canada's PSAC union said on Monday that although the Canadian government and the 120,000 striking Treasury Board employees had struck a tentative agreement, 35,000 of them were still not working.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), which represents all employees, has different contracts with each group. The agreement puts an end to the Treasury Board workers' 12-day walkout.

Back in April, 155,000 public service workers went on strike following a call by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) union after failure to reach a final pay agreement with the Federal government: teachers, firefighters, insurance employees, and Coast Guard teams, among others, all abstained from fulfilling their duties.

In a press release on Monday, the union stated that “With the national strike now over for Treasury Board workers…(they) are required to return to work beginning May 1 at 9 a.m. ET (Eastern Time) or their next scheduled shift after that date."

Union members will get a 12% wage raise overall over the course of four years, including retroactive increments for 2021 and 2022 of 1.5% and 4.75% respectively, 3.5% in 2023 and 2.25% for 2024.

The union detailed in a press release that “PSAC negotiated wage increases totaling 12.6% compounded over the life of the agreement from 2021-2024. PSAC secured an additional fourth year in the agreement that protects workers from inflation," noting that the strike was responsible for wage gains.

“By securing an overwhelming strike mandate and following through with strong strike action, important gains were made to the employer’s final wage offer."

Remote work was another contentious issue, and the union claims the revised contract language allows for more "equitable and fair decision-making on remote work."

No time was specified for the ratification vote, but it will take place when employees get the contract and the letter of explanation that goes with it.