COLD LAKE – The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) started its nation-wide general strike on April 19, in a bid to secure what it believes is a fair contract for federal public service workers.
Across the nation, 155,000 members of PSAC went on strike, including around 39,000 Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) employees. Workers of the Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake also participated in the strike. PSAC members of the air base include administrative and support staff such as clerks, as well as labour and trade workers.
In an April 19 news release, 4 Wing Cold Lake acknowledged its employees represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) adopted “a legal strike position.”
“4 Wing respects the right of employees to legally strike and picket lines may be noticed in the Lion’s Park area, as well as the ‘back gate’ area on Kingsway Road. Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake remains accessible via usual road access,” according to information from 4 Wing.
Marianne Hladun, the Regional Executive Vice-President of PSAC, told Lakeland This Week that negotiations with the federal government to renew the collective agreement - that expired in 2021 - have been ongoing since June of that year.
Fair wages
Several priorities identified by PSAC, according to Hladun, have not yet been addressed. Those priorities include “fair wage increases that meet inflation,” protection against the privatization of services, and remote work provisions.
In June of 2021, Hladun said PSAC proposed 4.5 per cent over three years, or 13.5 wage increase, to keep up with inflation.
PSAC then declared an impasse in May of 2022 “over insulting wage offers” of 1.7 per cent over a four-year agreement from 2021-2025, according to a PSAC May 2022 release.
Contracting and privatizing jobs
"Another issue that has been really concerning for our members, and actually is even more so concerning for CFB Cold Lake, is the issue of contracting out and privatizing services,” Hladun said, explaining the union is seeing more work usually performed by public service workers contracted out, which is “significantly higher within DND (Department of National Defense.)”
According to Hladun, members of the union are concerned about their jobs being terminated with contractors coming in, and “we’re looking for some protections on that.”
Hladun also said that a study conducted by the union, within the extent of DND contracting out jobs, indicated results that contractors are “making excessive profit,” while “the actual worker is getting, you know, crappy wages.”
“We’re saying that shouldn’t happen,” which may involve the federal government letting workers leave, then “filling those positions with contractors.”
Remote Work
Hladun said they are also looking to reach provisions in the collective agreement that allow employees to request remote work without being unreasonably denied.
While there are jobs that do require workers to be on site, “a lot of the administrative workers and other departments,” who work with administrative duties like processing documents, for example, “they can easily do that at home, and they’ve proven that.”
Bargaining
Mediated negotiations began in April of this year, according to Hladun, adding the union hoped to achieve a collective agreement with the government's help, “and that was impossible.”
Several days of notice were provided to the federal government on PSAC’s deadline prior to the union declaring a strike, she said. “Not having seen anything that met our priorities – the strike was authorized.”
Essential services
Hladun said the union acknowledges that despite the strike, federal public workers have a responsibility to the public.
The strike was authorized under federal legislation, and PSAC established an essential services list with employers. "A certain portion of them, depending on the work they do, are continuing to go to work, specifically to ensure the health and safety of Canadians," Hladun said.
As an example, if an emergency situation arises that requires a federal worker, they may be called in to work. “We’re proud to be public service workers.” For instance, during 9/11, PSAC members put down their picket signs and went back to work to support the military and ensure the safety of Canadians, Hladun recalled.
“So, we acknowledge the fact that we have a responsibility and that’s why we have those [essential services list] positions.”
PSAC members will continue the strike until the federal government comes to the table with a collective agreement that meets demands, she said, explaining it’s not just a “one-day strike.”
Members of the community
Hladun emphasized that the members currently on the picket line are not “MPs, senators, or executives,” instead, they “are the lowest paid in federal public service.” CFB Cold Lake PSAC members on the picket line are people who ensure facilities are working, for example.
“They're looking for a fair wage that meets the cost of living, because they struggle as much as everyone else,” said Hladun. “And we honestly believe that every worker should be entitled to a wage that meets the cost of living, whether they're in a union or not.”
Government response
On April 18, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat stated the federal government has done “everything it can to reach a deal and avoid disrupting the services that Canadians rely on.”
The federal government claims that while there has been some “ongoing movement at the bargaining table” on key issues by both sides, “PSAC has decided to proceed with a nation-wide general strike.”
In the release, the government said they presented a fair and competitive offer to PSAC, and “responded to all their demands,” which includes a nine per cent wage increase over three years, proposals on telework, shift premiums, improved leave with pay for family-related responsibilities, and “measures to support employment equity and diversity and inclusion.”
Further, the government stated that despite a competitive deal on the table, "PSAC continues to insist on demands that are unaffordable and would severely impact the Government’s ability to deliver services to Canadians.”
"We call on the PSAC to work with us to build on the progress we’ve already made so workers can get back to delivering the important services Canadians rely on.”
April 25 update
An April 25 update was posted on the PSAC website from the PSAC-UTE bargaining team.
"Since the strike began last week, talks with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) have continued, including over the weekend and again yesterday. To date, we have successfully resolved some issues related to hours of work and information to be provided to PSAC so that the union can communicate and engage with the membership more easily and effectively. This is progress that we have realized so far because of the strike," according to PSAC.
"However, to date, we remain in dispute over key issues with the CRA." Those issues include telework, compensation to address cost of living and inflation issues, and job security.
