Federal workers call on Trudeau to intervene and end strike

More than 150,000 Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) members have been on strike for over a week now. They are calling on the prime minister to personally intervene to end the strike.

PSAC members targetted the Peace Bridge Border Crossing in Fort Erie on Wednesday in hopes to draw attention to their fight with the government. Roughly 100 strikers rallied around noon on an overpass beside the border.

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The picketers say they slowed down truck traffic into Canada for a short time but that they are not trying to disrupt operations at the border.

Picketers also targetted the Burlington lift bridge on Wednesday. They say they were able to delay ships for two hours as they passed under the bridge into Hamilton’s harbour.

PSAC member Deanna Allain says, “There are strategic pickets that are showing escalation to apply pressure so we can get a fair deal from the federal government.”

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PSAC members also rallied in Ottawa and accused the government of stalling negotiations and calling on the prime minister to step in to resolve the dispute. PSAC President Chris Aylward says, “If the prime minister can turn his back on these striking members, he will turn his back on every single worker in this country.”

The head of the treasury board, Mona Fortier says the union’s demands are unaffordable and unreasonable. The union says many of its members earn less than $65,000 a year and have been falling behind because of inflation.

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The union was demanding a 13.5 per cent wage increase over three years but says they have “moved off” that demand without giving any details. Negotiations between the union and the government are continuing but there are no signs of any progress.