12ft
Jan 01, 1900
Thursday marked the second day of strikes from roughly one-third of federal workers in Canada — more than 155K people — after wage negotiations with PM Justin Trudeau’s government failed.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) has been in a collective bargaining process for a new contract since 2021 and had set a deadline of 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday to reach a deal. While the Canadian government has offered a wage increase of 9% over three years, this doesn't meet the union's expectations.
PM Trudeau and the Liberal government need to get their act together and end this strike without caving to the exorbitant demands of the privileged, who are holding essential services — funded by the average working Canadian — hostage. Not only does the PSCA's request discount those who are truly struggling to make ends meet, but it's also dangerous: If all employers surrendered to 22.5% pay increases, inflation would be cemented into the economy.
The federal workers’ strike is part of a global upsurge of the working class against real-wage cuts and attacks on worker protections and democratic rights. The strikers are fighting for wage increases that keep pace with inflation and stronger job security protections. While the Liberal government claims there is “no money” to meet the strikers’ demands, it's spending enormous amounts of money on the war in Ukraine and bailing out big business. Workers across Canada need to mobilize and support these strikers in their cause.