Media Advisory: Federal public sector workers take their bargaining demands to the street

Charlottetown, PEI - On the three-year anniversary of the launch of the Phoenix pay system members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) in Charlottetown are taking to the streets to demand respect from their employer, this time at the bargaining table. Currently, PSAC is in bargaining with Treasury Board, the Canada Revenue Agency and Parks Canada and is finding the employer unprepared for meaningful negotiations.  Negotiations with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency start this week.  Over 3000 PSAC members live and work on PEI. 

Demonstrators will draw specific attention to negotiations with Treasury Board which employs 90,000 PSAC members Canada-wide.

In December, Treasury Board tabled wage increases of only 0.75% per year for 4 years, a proposal which doesn’t match the current rate of inflation which is averaging at well over 2%.  The teams representing Treasury Board bargaining units most recently met between February 12 and 14 where the government proposed a 1% pay increase per year for 4 years, a meagre increase still significantly under the rate of inflation.  The government’s small movements were a change from previous meetings, but they fell significantly short of the progress needed at the table.

In addition to economic increases, the union is seeking to reduce the use of temp agencies in the public service, a demand that would mean more stable, good paying jobs for PEI.  The union has also tabled numerous other non-economic demands such as measures to improve work-life balance, including compassionate care, bereavement and parental leave.

Union members will rally in Charlottetown in support of a cross-country fight for working conditions that reflect their dedication and the value of the important services they provide the Canadian Public.  A similar event will take place in Ottawa on the morning of February 28. 

PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President Colleen Coffey will speak at the event alongside local PSAC members. 

Event details are as follows:

What: PSAC demonstration in support of fair federal contracts
When: 3:45pm-5pm, February 28, 2019
Where: University Ave. (University Avenue north of Allan Street, next to Sobeys/CBC studio)

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For more information, please contact:
Lesley Thompson, Communications Officer, PSAC, 902.266.8589, thompsonl@psac-afpc.com