Lots of energy, determination, and smiles were present on the picket lines as striking PSAC members returned for day 6 of the Treasury Board strike, which saw actions ramp up across the country. It’s clear from the photos we’ve received from all over — Ottawa, Gatineau, Windsor, Fort Frances, Fort Erie, Niagara Falls, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Winnipeg, Sherbrooke, etc. — that members have no intention of letting up the pressure until the government comes back to the table to bargain fairly.
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.
This article was first posted on the PSAC website.
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.
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.
This article was first posted on the PSAC website.
Here are a few clips of the ongoing Treasury Board strike.
Treasury Board strike, day 3: Be it in the sunshine or the snow, members have continued to show they are determined to get a fair contract. In Ottawa, CIU Board of Directors members were back to support striking workers at 90 Elgin and on Parliament Hill. PSAC-CIU members were also present in St. Thomas, ON, to welcome the Prime Minister, and were active on picket lines in Sherbrooke, Gatineau, Chilliwack, Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, Fort Frances, Sault Ste Marie, Kitchener, St. John, etc., with no sign of slowing down!
See photos below.
