A massive strike by federal public servants in Canada has now entered its 10th day, but still, there is no imminent sign of a deal.
Amid ongoing strikes – the biggest Canada has seen in 40 years – both the government and striking members agree that there should be a pay rise.
However, what they differ on is how much.
It can be remembered that Public Service Alliance Canada (PSAC) launched a strike last week on the 19th of April after both sides failed to reach a deal on increasing wages.
Now, demonstrations have entered its 10th day with more than 100,000 members still on the picket lines.
The strike which started last week has disrupted about 30 government departments affecting a range of services, including the processing of income tax returns and passports.
At the moment, negotiations are still ongoing and the government and PSAC have once again met for a new round of talks on Friday afternoon.
Details of the offer have not been released and reports say that the union has plans to bargain over the weekend in order to reach a fair deal.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has faced criticism at home while in New York attending a gathering of prominent global figures to address the planet and humanity’s most urgent issues. These were Trudeau’s comments…
“I have been directly and involved in the negotiations in hearing about what discussions are going on. I have deep faith in collective bargaining as a process and we know that our negotiators are putting forward serious offers and working constructively with the labourers on this. This is an important part of how we make sure that workers are properly supported in this country and we’re going to continue to allow it to unfold and I will continue to engage with it,” Prime Minister Justine Trudeau, Canada said.
To note, Friday’s offer involves the approximately 120,000 members in the four bargaining groups under the review of the treasury board, but not those working for the Canada revenue agency.
Meanwhile, the board’s president recently said that they are trying to get a deal in order for operations to return to normal as soon as possible.
