Federal government workers in Vancouver rally, call on Prime Minister to move quickly at the bargaining table

Federal government workers in Vancouver rally, call on Prime Minister to move quickly at the bargaining table

Vancouver – On April 26, over three years after the roll out of the disastrous Phoenix payroll system, union members in Vancouver are rallying to remind the Prime Minister that time is running out to make good on his commitment to support federal public service workers and the vital services they provide.

• Date: Friday April 26, 2019
• Time: rally at 8AM, information picket from 7AM to 9AM
• Location: 800 Burrard Street, Vancouver

In a 2015 letter to public service workers, Justin Trudeau committed to restoring the government’s "trust in — and respect for — our public servants” and also said that he sees the public service as a “partner” that “must be valued by the government”.

While those are nice words, reaching a fair contract this spring is the only way Trudeau can deliver on that promise to federal government workers.

Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada - the largest bargaining unit in the federal government - are rallying in Vancouver in advance of the next bargaining session, scheduled for April 30 to May 2, to hold Trudeau to this word.

“Our members are still waiting to get paid properly under the disastrous Phoenix pay system,” says Jamey Mills, Public Service Alliance of Canada Regional Executive Vice President for BC, “And we’re still waiting, after three years, to be compensated for all the hardships we’ve endured because of countless pay problems. We shouldn’t also have to wait for the fair working conditions we deserve.”

“The window of opportunity for Trudeau to deliver on his commitment to support public service workers and the vital services they provide Canadians is closing, but it’s still there.” continues Mills, “This means delivering a fair contract for our members when our negotiating teams are back at the table next week – PSAC members in Vancouver are taking action on Friday and will not let him off the hook.”

For more information: Patrick Bragg, PSAC Communications, cell: (778) 889-3486