155,000 federal workers are now on strike

One of the largest general strikes in Canada’s history is underway after 155,000 federal service workers walked off the job early Wednesday morning.

They are represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the largest union representing federal workers.

Picket lines are now up in more than 250 locations across the country, the union said, including 120,000 members working for the Treasury Board and more than 35,000 with the Canada Revenue Agency.

Picket lines in Iqaluit are at Sivumugiaq Street and Mivvik Street. About 150 federal workers in Nunavut are represented by PSAC, according to the union.

“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’s national president, in a statement late Tuesday.

The union is seeking a 13.5 per-cent-wage increase over three years for its members who work in the federal public service.

With nearly a third of the entire federal public service workers on strike, Canadians can expect to see delays or a complete shutdown of services nationwide as of today.

That includes a halt of the tax season, delays to employment insurance applications and payments, disruptions of immigration and passport applications, interruptions to supply chains and international trade at ports, and slowdowns at the border, Aylward said.

“PSAC bargaining teams will remain at the table night and day as they have been for weeks,” he 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.”

The federal government released a statement on the Treasury Board website, saying it has presented a “fair, competitive offer” and responded to demands, including offering a nine-per-cent wage increase over three years.

The government has also offered proposals on what it said were “other PSAC priorities” such as telework, shift premiums, improved leave for family-related responsibilities and measures to support employment equity, diversity and inclusion.

“Even though there is a competitive deal on the table, the PSAC continues to insist on demands that are unaffordable and would severely impact the government’s ability to deliver services to Canadians,” the statement read.