A crowd of workers stood outside the Service Canada building in Lethbridge today as members of the federal government’s largest union began striking today. Across the country, about 155,000 Public Service Alliance of Canada workers are striking, asking for fair wages, job security and remote work options.
“We are out here because the negotiations have been going on for two years, a lot of disrespect when it comes from the employer and the terms of the negotiating process and we are here also fighting for fair wages — our wages have stayed stagnant over the last two years and they haven’t kept up with inflation and so that’s one of our big issues out here,” said Krysty Thomas, who is on the Agriculture Union local executive in Lethbridge.Â
Thomas says there are three different union locals on strike in Lethbridge, impacting agriculture, Canada employment and immigration, as well as the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). This means there are no passports being processed during the strike and residents can expect delays for services from the CRA.
“We are out here actually supporting all workers. Wages have stayed stagnant across the board, when we are seeing a cost of labour movement so our fight is all workers’ fights and we are here standing for all workers of Canada,” Thomas said. “Unionized, un-unionized, public, private sector — everyone deserves a fair wage and the cost of living is only increasing and we are out here standing to fight for that.”Â
About 40,000 employees across the country are considered essential and will remain on the job throughout the strike — this includes firefighters, border officials, and prison guards.
Negotiation are ongoing in Ottawa where the union is asking for 13.5 per cent more over three years for wages and Ottawa has offered nine per cent.Â
Though the strike could impact tax refund processing times, the May 1 deadline for filing remains in place.
Thomas said workers in Lethbridge will be out picketing everyday for as long as it takes to resolve negotiations.