Canada's largest public sector union, feds to begin mediated talks on Sunday
The federal government and the union representing more than 120,000 federal public service workers will return to the bargaining table this weekend, as the threat of a strike looms over the talks.
The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat says the government and the Public Service Alliance of Canada will begin mediated negotiations starting on Sunday, "with the goal of reaching a deal of renewed collective agreements."
Talks will resume following a recommendation from the Public Interest Commission for the two sides to return to the bargaining table. In February, the federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board's commission recommended the federal government give PSAC members a 9 per cent raise over three years.
Last May, PSAC declared an impasse in contract talks, accusing the government of offering an "insulting wage offer." The union is seeking a wage increase of 4.5 per cent a year over three years, while PSAC said the government offered a 2.06 per cent raise.
Strike votes for members in the PSAC Program and Administrative Services, Operational Services, Technical Services and Education and Library Science bargaining group are scheduled to end on April 11.
Meantime, approximately 35,000 Canada Revenue Agency employees are holding strike votes until April 7.
In a statement, the Treasury Board Secretariat says the government is "committed" to reaching agreements that are "fair to public servants and reasonable for taxpayers."
"The Government is optimistic that discussions will be productive."
PSAC and the government began contract talks in 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He's in our hearts': Family and friends still seek answers one year after Nathan Wise’s disappearance
It’s been a year since Nathan Wise went missing and his family is no closer to finding out what happened to him.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Wildfire near Fort McMurray more than triples overnight, several evacuation alerts remain in place
The fire burning near Fort McMurray grew from 25 hectares to 5,500 hectares over the weekend.
Putin replaces Russian defence minister in rare cabinet shakeup
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin began a Cabinet shakeup on Sunday, proposing the replacement of Sergei Shoigu as defence minister as he begins his fifth term in office.
Man fatally 'slashed in the neck' in downtown Toronto, suspect outstanding
Police are searching for a male suspect after a man was “slashed in neck” on Sunday morning in downtown Toronto and died.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.