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
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.