The Public Service Alliance of Canada, a union that represents more than 120,000 federal workers, has voted to support a strike mandate.
The union can now launch a strike anytime in the next 60 days, potentially disrupting the delivery of important federal services ranging from passport renewals to employment insurance applications.
The Public Service Alliance’s leadership team said at a press conference in Ottawa that bargaining for fair wages is important and that its members are prepared to strike for as long as it takes to get a favourable new contract.
Roughly 35,000 federal public servants within the union are essential workers and would need to remain at work should a strike occur.
The union called the strike vote following an impasse in contract negotiations with the federal government. Sticking points include wages, ending contract work, and remote work.
The union has said that federal workers have proven that working remotely is just as productive as in-person work.
The union and the federal government began mediated negotiations in early April, and both parties are back at the bargaining table this week.
Separately, federal workers at the Canada Revenue Agency voted on April 7 in favour of a strike.
