SAINT JOHN, NB – Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) will hold a lunchtime rally at Saint John-Rothesay Member of Parliament Wayne Long’s constituency office on Thursday. They are among some 140,000 federal public sector workers who are outraged by the federal government’s lack of movement in contract negotiations. Members will rally outside Long’s office before their representatives meet with the MP inside at 12:30pm.
“In 2015, Justin Trudeau sent a letter to Canada’s public servants promising a new era of respect. But four years later, PSAC members are still waiting for him to deliver on his commitment,” says PSAC Regional Executive-Vice President Colleen Coffey.
PSAC is currently in negotiations with the Treasury Board of Canada, the Canada Revenue Agency, Parks Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Canada Border Services Agency. The union has presented bargaining proposals at every table that would significantly improve working conditions in the federal public service and the quality of the services provided to Canadians. But across the board, the union has faced a government unwilling to negotiate.
In negotiations with Treasury Board, which employs over 90,000 members, the union is asking for improvements to work-life balance, a reduction of precarious contract work, an end to wage gaps with the private sector, and fair economic increases. Members will implore that Long supports these demands in the lead up to April 30 – May 2 contract talks.
Coffey continues, “In the face of outrageous hardships caused by the broken Phoenix Pay System, PSAC members have demonstrated unwavering tenacity and professionalism as they wait for a fix. What’s happening at the bargaining table only adds insult to injury and frankly our members have had enough.”
Media are invited:
What: PSAC Members Rally for Fair Contracts
Where: MP Wayne Long’s Constituency Office
1 Market Square, Saint John, NB
When: 12:15pm – 12:30pm, Thursday, April 18, 2019
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For further information contact:
Monique Laplante, Regional Representative, PSAC, (onsite contact) 506.381.7733
Lesley Thompson, Regional Political Communications Officer, PSAC, 902.266.8589, thompsonl@psac-afpc.com