PSAC strike: Feds say ‘final’ offer to union has ‘enhanced’ wage package

As federal workers continue to strike, Ottawa says it has tabled a “final” offer to the Public Service Alliance of Canada that addresses “all remaining” union demands, including a beefed-up wage package.

The nationwide strike stretched into an eleventh day Saturday as neither side has been able to resolve the labour dispute over wages and remote work.

The union had been seeking a wage increase of 13.5 per cent over three years, but has since “moved off” that demand. In a statement released Saturday, the Treasury Board said a “final updated comprehensive offer” tabled Friday includes an “enhanced wage offer” that “builds” on recommendations by an independent arbitrator, without providing more details.

Earlier this year, that independent arbitrator recommended a nine per cent wage increase over three years. Ottawa previously tabled that offer – with a signing bonus — which was not accepted by the union. “Along with the new wage package, we also presented solutions to address priorities such as telework, seniority, and contracting without impeding our ability to deliver services to Canadians,” the statement added. “This is a fair, competitive and reasonable final offer, with wage and non-wage improvements, and we believe that employees should have an opportunity to review the details of it.” Treasury Board president Mona Fortier said in an open letter Monday the government has reached agreements with PSAC on more than 560 demands from the union.