PSAC hoping for deal with federal government before 7 p.m. strike deadline

Thousands of federal workers are inching closer to a possible strike.

If a deal between the federal government and those who are represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada isn’t reached by 7 p.m. Tuesday, workers will begin striking on Wednesday morning.

No deal could mean 155,000 workers joining the picket line and striking until a new deal between the two groups is reached.

With the hours ticking down, Marianne Hladun, the union’s prairies regional executive vice-president, spoke with John Gormley on Tuesday morning to shed light on what negotiations look like just hours before the deadline.

“We’ve been at this since 2021, and our teams have been here for two and a half weeks, and we’re waiting for a reasonable offer,” said Hladun.

“We’re waiting for the employer to bargain in good faith, regardless of what the prime minister and the treasury board president says. We’re awaiting a response from the employer.”

Hladun said the union won’t give out specifics or negotiate a new agreement through the media, but she told Gormley each side will have to move a bit to get a new deal done.

“I truly do believe that we have moved significantly. We have recognized that we don’t want a national strike. We want a collective agreement, and have been open to that,” she explained.

“Quite frankly, the employer has either made no moves on some of our priorities, or what they have made has been so minimal that it’s basically been insulting.”

She said there are three main things the workers want from the federal government.

“Wages, remote work and contracting out job security are absolute priorities right now,” Hladun stated.

Hladun told Gormley she feels the union has support from the public when it comes to their asks.

“We’re not these faceless bureaucrats that people talk about. Our members are cleaners, plumbers (and) mail room clerks. We’re not MPs (or) senators. We don’t have golden pensions and health plans. We’re the ones keeping everything going,” Hladun said.

“I hope Canadians can recognize that we’re not asking for the sun and the moon. We just want a respectful collective agreement.”