The past two years have been hard for workers everywhere. The cost of living has hit highs we haven’t seen in 40 years, and our members are struggling.  Over the past two years, inflation soared by nearly 11 per cent.  

Every day, we see that our dollar doesn’t go as far at the grocery store or at the gas pump. We’ve heard from many of you that you’ve had to take on debt and make sacrifices just to make ends meet. 

After bargaining for nearly two years without a contract, tens of thousands of PSAC members participated in strike votes across the country and have voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking strike action if necessary to secure a fair contract that makes sure our members don’t fall further behind.  

Together, more than 120,000 hard-working federal public service workers in the Program and Administrative Services, Operational Services, Technical Services, and Education and Library Science bargaining groups are prepared to show the government we’re ready to fight for better. 

At the bargaining table, the federal government is telling us that you don’t deserve a fair wage that keeps up with the rising cost of living. In fact, they expect you to take a pay cut in our next contract.  

They’ve also flat-out refused to consider enshrining remote work in our collective agreement, even as we’ve seen the future of our workplaces shift during the pandemic. And they’ve rejected our calls to build more inclusive workplaces by providing mandatory training on anti-racism, discrimination, and harassment to all federal public service workers and managers. 

A strike mandate shows this government we’re united and willing to fight for what workers deserve. With 35,000 members working at the Canada Revenue Agency joining us with their strike mandate, we have unprecedented leverage to secure a fair contract. Any potential strike action would be one of the largest strikes in Canadian history.  

Last week, our Common Issues bargaining team and the employer met with the assistance of a third-party mediator, and this week the PA, SV, TC, and EB groups will do the same.  And while members have given us the authorization to call a strike, it doesn't mean that we will automatically take strike action. Our goal remains the same: to reach a deal at the bargaining table. To that end, bargaining teams and national union leadership will be meeting in the coming days to make strategic decisions about our next steps. 

As we prepare for potential strike action, please keep your contact information up to date on the PSAC website — including your cell phone number and personal, non-work email — to make sure you get the latest updates. If you have any questions, check the FAQ or contact your regional office. 

Expect us to be in touch in the coming days about strike preparation, including receiving strike pay, our picket line finder and other important bargaining updates.  

Together, we will win a fair contract that secures gains for all our members.  

In solidarity,  

Chris Aylward 
Public Service Alliance of Canada National President