PSAC has ‘moved off’ wage demands, accuses government of ‘stalling’

what it calls one of the largest strikes in Canadian history says the federal government is “stalling” on talks for a new collective agreement.Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) national president Chris Aylward made the claim Wednesday on Parliament Hill – which was the site of the “largest picket event of the strike” so far, the union said.The strike, which has gone on for eight days now, has seen more than 100,000 federal public servants across the country walk off the job while the union negotiates a new collective agreement with Ottawa for some 155,000 workers, including those deemed essential and who must continue working.Treasury Board President Mona Fortier said in a statement Wednesday that while Ottawa is determined to reach an agreement with the union, it needs PSAC “to start bringing their demands in line with the Public Interest Commission recommendations.”Earlier this year, that independent arbitrator recommended a nine per cent wage increase over three years.

Ottawa has tabled that offer – with a signing bonus – but PSAC has been seeking a 13.5 per cent increase over three years.Aylward said PSAC has “moved off” its wage demands, but did not provide specifics.

He said the federal government told the union Tuesday night it was not changing its current wage offer. Aylward added the union has not seen a final offer from the government.“If you look at what the employer is doing, simply saying, ‘No, we’re not coming back with another offer,’ they are stalling,” he said.“They’re still at nine per cent over three years.