Nearly 500 members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and Union of National Defence Employees (UNDE) in Ottawa, Valcartier, Montreal-St. Jean, Bagotville, Petawawa and Kingston have been on strike since January 15.   

Working for the Non-Public Funds (NPF), a separate agency in the federal public service, these members do the same jobs as other workers in the federal public service, but at wages that are up to 60 per cent lower. Many need to work second jobs because the NPF salaries can’t keep up with the pressures of inflation and the real costs of caring for their families.   

Despite this, the employer continues to drag their feet and still hasn’t come to the table with a fair wage offer that meets the rising cost of living or a national pay grid that will ensure equal pay for equal work. Workers’ demands are fair and reasonable: fair wages in line with the rest of the federal public service, a national pay grid, and improved job security. 

PSAC-UNDE members are staying strong on the picket lines despite intimidation from the employer and police. But we still need support from allied unions, organizations, and the community to boost members’ morale and help them to keep fighting. 

Here are a few other ways to show your support: 

• Find local picket times and join members on the line in Bagotville, Kingston, Montreal, Ottawa, Petawawa, St. Jean, and Valcartier. 
• Send a letter to Bill Blair, Minister of Defence, and Ian Poulter, CEO of the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services, to push them to secure a fair contract for members. 
• Print the I Support NPF-UNDE Members poster to display in your office or window at home.  
• Share your support on social media and encourage your followers to take action for striking workers.