117 days into their strike, Non-Public Funds workers at Canadian Forces bases in Bagotville, St-Jean and Valcartier are holding fast in their fight to redress years of salary inequality. You can watch the entire press conference on the CPAC website.

“These inconsistencies between provinces are unacceptable,” said PSAC-Quebec Executive Vice-President Yvon Barrière. “Why are conditions for the same position drastically different from one base to the next? And why are salaries the lowest in Quebec?” 

Non-Public Funds members have been treated like second-class public service workers since the 1982 order came into force. In Quebec, NPF positions are majority women-held and have consistently been paid less than equivalent positions in other provinces. 

“Defence cutbacks are hitting hard everywhere, and the Non-Public Funds are no exception. NPF staff are giving their all to provide Canadian Forces members with quality services, yet the government treats them like second-class workers,” decries Christine Normandin, Deputy House leader of the Bloc Québécois and defence critic. “As the country struggles with army recruitment and retention, it’s all the more important that we bolster those who work tirelessly to support our military personnel.”

The wage gaps speak for themselves:

The strikers just want to be treated the same as their counterparts throughout Canada. They want NPF personnel to be fully recognized as federal public service workers.

“Our members who voted against the memorandum of settlement are also the lowest paid NPF workers despite performing the exact same duties as their colleagues in other provinces and the core public service,” said June Winger, UNDE national president. “These members are demanding fair wages, and UNDE will continue supporting them to achieve that.”

The 300 civilians at CFBs Kingston, Ottawa and Petawawa recently ratified a memorandum of settlement with the employer, while staff at CFBs Bagotville, Montréal−Saint-Jean and Valcartier rejected it by an 80% vote. The already 117-day-long strike continues for these steadfast and dedicated workers.

Non-Public Funds employees are federal public service workers who provide critical support services on military bases, but do not work for Treasury Board or directly for the Department of National Defence. They are employed by Staff of the Non-Public Funds, which is operated by the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS), a separate agency of the defence team expending public and non-public funds. The CFMWS operates on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff, under the authority of the Minister of National Defence.