Hundreds of workers at Canadian military bases will walk off the job Monday as collective bargaining drags on, their union says.
The union, which represents grocery, retail, recreation and insurance workers, is demanding wage increases and better job security. It also calls for uniform wages across the country to ensure that “workers receive equal pay for equal work.”
“Many of them are barely making minimum wage and working two jobs just to make ends meet,” wrote Chris Aylward, president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), in a news release Thursday.
“These workers earn wages that are on par with the rest of the federal public service,” he added.
The workers are part of the Non-Public Funds Agency, a separate entity within the federal public service. Each union must negotiate its own contracts, resulting in “completely inconsistent” wage rates across the country.
At the end of last year, an average of 94 percent of union members voted to strike. According to the union, workers in Quebec and Ontario have not had a collective agreement since 2022.
On Monday, Quebec employees stationed at the Bagotville, Montreal St-Jean and Valcartier bases will go on strike, along with Ontario workers in Ottawa, Petawawa and Kingston.
Unless the negotiators can reach an agreement beforehand.
“Coffeeaholic. Lifelong alcohol fanatic. Typical travel expert. Prone to fits of apathy. Internet trailblazer.”