It’s poised to be one of the largest strikes in Canadian history. Thousands of members of Canada’s biggest federal public service union are on the picket lines as of Wednesday morning.
This comes after the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) failed to reach an agreement with the federal government. The union set a deadline of 9 p.m. Tuesday night with a warning that if a deal is not met, workers will walk off the job as of 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.
As a result, more than 155,000 federal public servants, including 35,000 Canada Revenue Agency employees, have left their posts to strike.
In a news release Tuesday, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat said the government and PSAC are still at odds at the bargaining table when it comes to key issues by both sides.
“The government has presented a fair, competitive offer to the PSAC and responded to all their demands,” reads the statement. “This includes a 9% wage increase over three years, as well as proposals on other important PSAC priorities, such telework, shift premiums, improved leave with pay for family-related responsibilities, and measures to support employment equity and diversity and inclusion.”
The debate on wage continues to be the wedge between the two sides. The PSAC countered the government’s offer with a proposal of 22.5 per cent over the course of three years.
On the other hand, the government believes the demands are unaffordable and would affect the government’s ability to deliver services to Canadians.
“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,” PSAC National President Chris Aylward said in a statement Wednesday. “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.”
Picket lines are set in over 250 locations across the country.
Since the strike includes nearly a third of the entire federal public service workforce, the union and the government are warning Canadians about major disruptions in services.
PSAC says Canadians can expect to see slowdowns or a complete shutdown of services nationwide beginning Wednesday.
READ MORE: Deadline to file taxes remains firm as potential CRA strike looms
This includes a complete halt of the tax season, disruptions to employment insurance, immigration, and passport applications. Additionally, interruptions to supply chains and international trade at ports are expected, as well as slowdowns at the border.
In a statement Tuesday morning, the Canada Revenue Agency says it assures Canadians that benefit payments will be prioritized and the Canada child benefit will continue to be issued as scheduled. Tax returns will also continue to be accepted and processed.
Despite the strike, negotiations will continue as the union and the government work to reach a tentative agreement.
REACTIONS FROM CANADIANS
Following strike commencement, Canadians nationwide including community groups and politicians alike are sharing where they stand.
While a handful of people are showing their solidarity, others are claiming this is not the time for a strike because it’s going to greatly impact many critical services.
Furthermore, some people believe that the wage increase the union is pushing for would cost tax players too much in the long run.
