Today, thousands of federal public service workers and supporters are coming together for a national day of action across the country and asking, “Where’s Mona?”. Treasury Board President Mona Fortier has been missing in action at the bargaining table with 165,000 Public Service Alliance of Canada members as workers continue to fall behind in the face of record-high inflation.  

Workers from Canada’s largest federal public service union are calling for fair wages that address the rising cost of living, better work-life balance and safer, more inclusive workplaces. 

“Workers are fighting for better wages and working conditions because they're seeing their buying power slip away while the cost-of-living soars,” said PSAC National President Chris Aylward. “This government expects our members to take a real wage cut when they should be supporting workers to stay afloat in these tough times.” 

See the full list of actions taking place across the country.

Talks broke down between PSAC and the federal government in May 2022 when the government refused to budge from its wage proposal that failed to keep up with inflation. The two sides are now in front of the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board at Public Interest Commission (PIC) hearings that wrap up in December.  

Without a contract since the summer of 2021, PSAC members have seen their purchasing power slashed by more than 10 per cent over the past two years alone and are feeling the pinch at the grocery store, on their utility bills, and at the pumps.  

“Our members are being forced to make sacrifices as their family budgets are being stretched to the limit; cutting back on the food they eat, cancelling after-school sports for their children, or even going as far as taking in roommates to cover rent,” said Aylward.  

“The buck ultimately stops with Minister Fortier in negotiations, and our members are sending a clear message today – we’re prepared to do whatever it takes to get a decent contract for workers, even if that means taking job action to protect workers from inflation.”