After almost two weeks of deadlock, Canada has reached a deal with 120,000 striking federal workers, effectively ending one of the largest public-sector work stoppages in the country’s history. The strike had crippled services from passport renewals to immigration. The striking workers, who began picketing on April 19, demanded cost-of-living raises and telework flexibility. The deal was reached after “many weeks of hard work, negotiation, and compromise,” said the head of the Treasury Board, Mona Fortier. The agreement, which was described as fair, competitive, and reasonable, will bring stability to public servants and Canadians.
While most strikers are set to return to work, more than 35,000 workers at the Canada Revenue Agency who also went on strike last month are still negotiating. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) union said the striking workers were seeking language in their collective agreement to allow for “telework arrangements,” as well as pay that would address “cost of living and inflationary pressures.” Lastly, the workers also want more job safety provisions, “including years of service recognition and protections against the contracting out of our jobs,” the union said.
PSAC National President Chris Aylward said the agreement delivers important gains for the union’s members that will set the bar for all workers in Canada. The strike took place during a period of record-high inflation and soaring corporate profits, he noted. “During a period of record-high inflation and soaring corporate profits, workers were told to accept less – but our members came together and fought for better.”
The strike affected a third of Canada’s public workers, or around 155,000 people, and had caused delays and cancellations in various government services. Fortier thanked Canadians for their patience and understanding over the past two weeks, and said that the deal was a result of respecting the right to negotiate.