Category: Collective Bargaining

It’s clear the Liberal government is feeling the pressure as we escalate our strike actions across the country. But we’ve been clear – the offer the government has on the table simply doesn’t cut it. And while we’ve had our sleeves rolled up for the past two years and have been ready to negotiate day and night to reach a fair deal, this government has consistently dragged out negotiations and tried to nickel and dime Canada’s workers. 

Without a wage increase since the beginning of the pandemic, our members have fallen behind inflation to the tune of nearly 11% of their earnings. After losing more ground to runaway prices than workers in any other sector for years, the government is now saying Canada’s public service workers should be happy with an offer that leaves them even further behind. 

And let’s not forget, these are the same members who delivered essential services to Canadians in a time of crisis. Imagine working every day and not having a contract, and because of Phoenix, not even knowing if you will be paid at all. These are regular Canadians who show up day in and day out to do the work that keeps our country running. 

We came to the table with demands that reflect the need for significant change in our members’ workplaces. Workers deserve fair wages that keep up with rising costs, remote work to be spelled out in their contract and better job security. Those demands haven’t been met at the table, and we will continue to prioritize the needs of our members until we reach a fair deal. 

The truth is, we don’t want a strike any more than our members; any more than Canadians; any more than this government. But we’ve been at the table for nearly two years. How long can workers wait? 

We’re calling on the Liberal government to work with us on getting to a fair deal so that members can leave the picket lines behind and return to the work they’re proud to do.  

April 23, 2023

PSAC National President Chris Aylward delivered the following message to members of the Treasury Board and CRA bargaining teams 

Friends, 

You may have seen the headlines this weekend – things didn’t get off to a great start.  

We made some progress in the end, but we’re not there yet. 

I can report that at the Treasury Board common issues table, we made some headway on remote work language, and both sides have moved in order to get closer to a resolution on wage increases. 

At the CRA bargaining table, talks continue but without a new mandate from the employer, things haven’t moved much further. 

So we’re not at the finish line yet, but I know that we can get to a fair deal for all 155,000 PSAC members thanks to the strong strike mandate you’ve delivered and the incredible solidarity you’ve shown from coast to coast to coast. 

As we moved towards our strike deadline last week, the employer finally put a wage offer of 9% over three years on the table. You did that. 

And when you hit the picket lines, it’s the first time we saw real progress at the table. You did that. 

Even if the government seems content to prolong this strike and its impact on Canadians, I know you have the collective power to get us to a fair deal in the coming days. And tomorrow we’re going to escalate our actions. 

See you on the picket lines on Monday! 

In solidarity, 

Chris Aylward 

PS: I know many of you still have lots of questions so we’ve updated our FAQ.  

April 22, 2023

This afternoon, PSAC’s National President, Chris Aylward, National Executive Vice President Sharon DeSousa and Regional Executive Vice President — NCR, Alex Silas gave a bargaining update on Treasury Board bargaining. 

Watch now

While members are not on picket lines this weekend, we are still on strike, including members who are regularly scheduled to work on the weekend, and if we don’t reach a deal by Sunday, workers will be back on picket lines Monday morning. Members and public supporters can find the nearest picket line using PSAC’s picket line finder tool.   

UNE is receiving a lot of questions regarding strike pay top-up. Unfortunately, UNE does not have a strike fund and does not provide strike pay top-up. However, some UNE Locals have established strike funds and may provide some additional financial assistance during the strike. Members should contact their Local Executive to inquire about possible assistance during the strike.

Furthermore, there are some UNE Locals who established strike funds, but those funds cannot be accessed because the Local has been inactive for quite some time and they have not complied with the requirements set out in the UNE Bylaws. In order for those funds to be accessed, Locals need to hold an annual general meeting, hold elections and present financial statements for approval. The Local will then designate signatories and have those members change the signatures on the account at the bank. Once those steps have been completed, the Local will have access to funds and may choose to provide financial assistance retroactively. UNE staff will assist Locals in completing these steps and getting your Local active again.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance. We understand this is a difficult time for our striking members and information coming from every angle can be overwhelming and confusing.

We are here to help. Please contact your Deputy Trustee Teams if you have questions.

Picket lines will go up across the country April 19 as more than 155,000 Public Service Alliance of  Canada members working for Treasury Board and Canada Revenue Agency begin strike action.  

“We truly hoped we wouldn’t be forced to take strike action, but we’ve exhausted every other avenue to reach a fair contract for Canada’s Federal Public Service workers,” said Chris Aylward, PSAC national president. “Now more than ever, workers need fair wages, good working conditions and inclusive workplaces. And it’s clear the only way we’ll achieve that is by taking strike action to show the government that workers can’t wait.”  

Strike action will begin at 12:01am ET April 19 – setting the stage for one of the largest strikes in Canada’s history. 

Picket lines will be set up in more than 250 locations across the country. Members and public supporters can find the nearest picket line using PSAC’s picket line finder tool. 

With nearly a third of the entire federal public service workers on strike, Canadians can expect to see slowdowns or a complete shutdown of services nationwide beginning tomorrow, including a complete halt of the tax season; disruptions to employment insurance, immigration, and passport applications; interruptions to supply chains and international trade at ports; and slowdowns at the border with administrative staff on strike. 

“As we begin this historic strike, PSAC bargaining teams will remain at the table night and day as they have been for weeks,” Aylward said. “We’re ready to reach a fair deal as soon as the government is ready to come to the table with a fair offer.” 

Negotiations between PSAC and Treasury Board began in June 2021, but reached impasse in May 2022. 

The Public Service Alliance of Canada is Canada’s largest federal public service union, representing nearly 230,000 workers in every province and territory in Canada, including more than 120,000 federal public service workers employed by Treasury Board, and more than 35,000 employed by the Canada Revenue Agency. 

For information or interviews: 

PSAC media relations 
media@psac-afpc.com 
(613) 714-6610 

Find the picket location closest to you in the event of a strike April 19!

Use our picket line finder to register for the picket line closest to you. You’ll get a confirmation email and reminders by email and text before the strike. You may receive specific instructions on where to picket from your PSAC regional office.

When you get to the picket line, sign in with a picket captain with the barcode you received by email. Remember to sign IN and OUT of each shift on the picket line by scanning your barcode. We need your attendance recorded in order to process strike pay. If you did not receive a barcode, a picket captain can help you sign in.

Invite your coworkers, friends and family to join you on the line. Now more than ever, there is power and solidarity in numbers.

If you can’t find a picket line near you or you have any other questions, please contact your nearest PSAC regional office and review our frequently asked questions page for more information about the strike.

Find the picket location closest to you in the event of a strike April 19!

April 17, 2023

More than 155,000 PSAC members working for Treasury Board and the Canada Revenue Agency will begin strike action on April 19 if a deal cannot be reached by 9 p.m. ET April 18 – setting the stage for one of the largest strikes in Canada’s history.

“We’ve made some progress at each of our four bargaining tables over the past two weeks, but we’re still too far apart on several key issues, including wages that keep up with the cost of living, job security and remote work language,” said Chris Aylward, PSAC National President.   

“We’re committed to remaining at the table until a fair deal is reached for all our members – both for our 35,000 Canada Revenue Agency members who resume negotiations today, and our 120,000 Treasury Board members still at the table.” 

PSAC members have been without a contract since negotiations with the federal government began in June 2021, and last week, voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking strike action. 

“These workers – like all workers – deserve fair wages and decent working conditions. Despite some progress at the bargaining table, our members are frustrated that while negotiations drag on, they continue to fall behind,” said Aylward. 

“We’ve already been at the table for nearly two years, and these workers can’t wait any longer. That’s why we’re setting a clock on this round of bargaining.” 

With so many federal public service workers potentially on strike as of April 19, Canadians can expect to see slowdowns or a complete shutdown of services nationwide, including a complete halt of the tax season, disruptions to employment insurance, immigration and passport applications; interruptions to supply chains and international trade at ports, harbours, and airports; and slowdowns at the border with administrative staff on strike.  

Source: Strike deadline announced for 155,000 PSAC members  | Public Service Alliance of Canada (psacunion.ca)

As you know, we’ve been in negotiations with the federal government for the past two weeks to try and reach a fair deal for our members. 

While we’ve made some progress at each of our four bargaining tables over the weekend, we’re still too far apart on several key issues, including wages that keep up with the cost of living, job security and remote work language. There are also still several outstanding table-specific issues to address. 

We know you deserve fair wages and decent working conditions. That’s why we’re committed to remaining at the table for our 120,000 Treasury Board members this week, and today, negotiations resume for 35,000 members at the Canada Revenue Agency.  

We understand you’re frustrated that while negotiations drag on, you continue to fall behind. We’ve already been at the table for nearly two years, and you can’t wait any longer. 

That’s why we’re setting a clock on negotiations. If there is no deal reached by 9 p.m. ET tomorrow, April 18, we will launch a national general strike beginning at 12:01 a.m. ET Wednesday, April 19 for all our 155,000 PSAC members working for both CRA and Treasury Board.

Over the coming days, you’ll continue to receive more information to help you prepare for potential strike action, including how you’ll receive strike pay and how you can join a picket line. 

And later today, we will be launching a picket line finder tool allowing you to use your postal code to find a picket line near you. 

Check out the frequently asked questions page for everything you need to know about the strike, including information about strike pay, essential workers, and more. If you haven’t already, you can also complete our online strike preparation course any time to prepare you for strike action.

This is a truly historic moment – together, we will show this government what PSAC members can do when they work together. 

In solidarity, 

Chris Aylward 
PSAC National President 

April 14, 2023

Over the past two weeks our bargaining teams have been back at the table with the assistance of third-party mediators to secure a fair contract for workers.

This is a critical time in the bargaining process, and it’s encouraging that talks are continuing into the weekend. PSAC will be holding a press conference on Monday, April 17 at 9 a.m. ET to provide an update on the status of negotiations with Treasury Board and Canada Revenue Agency on behalf of more than 155,000 federal government workers.

Members can watch the livestream of the press conference on our PSAC national Facebook page, and we’ll continue to keep you up to date on the status of negotiations on our website, social media, and by email. 

Our priority remains to secure a fair contract for PSAC members that addresses our key issues, including decent wages that prevent workers from falling further behind, a more inclusive federal public service, remote work enshrined in our collective agreements, and good secure jobs.

More than 155,000 PSAC members across Treasury Board and Canada Revenue Agency are now in a legal strike position. A strike by PSAC’s federal public service workers would be the largest strike against a single employer in Canada’s history.

This is the government’s last opportunity to show workers the respect they deserve. Workers can’t wait, and we’re ready to take strike action.

Check your email regularly for more information about strike pay, PSAC’s picket line finder, and other strike-related information in the coming days as we prepare for potential strike action.

Visit our frequently asked questions for more information about strike action and strike pay. 

Source: Negotiations with federal government continue as a potential strike for 155,000 workers looms  | Public Service Alliance of Canada (psacunion.ca)

April 12, 2023

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) has received a strike mandate from members in the Program and Administrative Services, Operational Services, Technical Services, and Education and Library Science bargaining groups, which collectively represent more than 120,000 federal government workers employed by Treasury Board.  

“The cost of living has hit highs we haven’t seen in 40 years, and people are struggling. Every day, we see that our dollar doesn’t go as far at the grocery store or at the gas pump,” said Chris Aylward, PSAC national president. “Today, PSAC members are sending a clear message that they won’t be taken for granted, they won’t fall further behind, and they’re ready to fight for better.” 

The strike mandate follows nationwide strike votes that took place from February 22 to April 11, and comes on the heels of the strike vote mandate announced last week for 35,000 PSAC-UTE members working at the Canada Revenue Agency. A strike by PSAC members working for the federal government would be the largest against any single employer in Canada’s history. 

“Our members won’t take the decision to strike lightly. They know that a strike will be difficult for them and for the Canadians who depend on the services they provide,” said Aylward. “But they’re exercising their bargaining power because they just can’t wait any longer. Their bills can’t wait. Their families can’t wait. None of us can.” 

PSAC is the largest federal union representing federal public service workers, including workers who got vital new financial aid programs like CERB and emergency business loans up and running for Canadians in record time during the pandemic. They’re also cleaners and cooks on military bases, clerks and maintenance workers, tradespeople, Coast Guard search and rescue teams, teachers, firefighters and the people Canadians rely on to help process employment insurance, passport applications and immigration documents.  

Negotiations between PSAC and Treasury Board began in June 2021, but reached impasse in May 2022. The two sides met again during mediation in September and Public Interest Commission (PIC) hearings in December before a PIC report was issued in February with non-binding recommendations. 

Source: https://psacunion.ca/120000-treasury-board-members-secure-strike