The Public Service Alliance of Canada has announced that nearly 500 civilian workers at military bases in Ontario and Quebec will go on strike starting Monday. These employees work for Non-Public Funds, an agency in the federal public service that supports Canadian Armed Forces members. They are seeking fair wages, a national pay grid, and improved job security.
The strike will affect Canadian Forces bases in Ottawa, Petawawa, Kingston, Valcartier, Montreal St-Jean, and Bagotville after contract negotiations broke down. Workers in Non-Public Funds have been without a contract since 2022 and are paid significantly less than their counterparts in the core federal public service. Their services include providing food, recreation, community support, and financial planning for military members and veterans. The union is advocating for a consistent national pay scale and enhanced benefits for part-time employees, among other improvements.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada has announced that nearly 500 civilian workers at military bases in Ontario and Quebec are planning to go on strike starting on Monday. These workers are employed by Non-Public Funds, an agency within the federal public service that provides support to Canadian Armed Forces members. The strike comes as these employees seek fair wages, the establishment of a national pay grid, and improved job security.
The affected military bases include those in Ottawa, Petawawa, Kingston, Valcartier, Montreal St-Jean, and Bagotville. The decision to strike follows the breakdown of contract negotiations between the union and the employer.
One of the primary issues driving this strike is the significant wage disparity between Non-Public Funds employees and their counterparts in the core federal public service who perform similar roles. Additionally, these workers have been without a contract since 2022, which has added to their frustrations.
The civilian workers at these bases play a crucial role in providing various services to military members and veterans, including food services, recreation programs, community support, and financial planning.
The union’s demands include the establishment of an equitable and consistent national pay scale, as well as improved benefits for part-time employees, among other improvements.
The strike will have an impact on the operations and services provided at these military bases, and it remains to be seen how long the labor dispute will last and whether it will lead to a resolution that addresses the workers’ concerns.