The federal government and 120,000 of its workers who are members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada announced early Monday, 01MAY, that they had reached a tentative new labour agreement.
As Open Jaw has reported, over 155,000 federal workers have been on strike since 19APR. Non-emergency passport processing has been on hold, and delays predicted as unionized staffers at the CBSA and CTA walked off the job. In addition, pickets at border crossings, ports, and passport offices appeared to target travel last week.
However, with the 01MAY deal reached, workers covered by the new agreement returned to work Monday, effectively removing the threat to the disruption of travel. 35,000 unionized CRA workers remain on strike.
According to the Globe, the new collective agreement will cover the period from JUN, 2021 - JUN 2024 and according to PSAC, "provides wage increases that close the gap with inflation, totaling 12.6 per cent in compounded wage increases,” as well as "a pensionable lump sum payment of $2,500," and in addition, “addresses PSAC members’ key priorities on remote work, contracting out and seniority.”
“PSAC members held the line together and secured a fair contract that keeps up with the cost of living, increased protections around remote work, and creates safer, more inclusive workplaces,” said PSAC National President Chris Aylward in a statement.
The government's statement used slightly different figures, citing "wage increases of 11.5 per cent over four years, retroactive to 2021 and that will cover periods until summer 2025. The third year also includes a group-specific allowance of 0.5 per cent.”
“The Government of Canada continues to be committed to a modern, hybrid workplace that provides employees, where applicable, with the flexibility to continue to work up to 3 days from home a week,’” the government said in a news release. “Outside of the collective agreements, we reached a tentative settlement on telework to the satisfaction of both parties."
