Federal public union at impasse with Ottawa

Canada’s largest federal public sector union says it has declared an impasse in negotiations with Ottawa and plans to file for conciliation in the hopes of reaching a settlement. The Public Service Alliance of Canada says the federal government has failed to provide a wage offer that protects workers from surging inflation. It says Ottawa has offered wage increases averaging 1.75 per cent a year over a four-year collective agreement. The union represents more than 120,000 federal public service workers currently in bargaining with the Treasury Board of Canada. Chris Aylward, national president of the union, says everyday items are becoming unaffordable and workers need better wages to keep up with soaring costs. Other key demands include addressing systemic racism in the federal public service and improving post-pandemic workplaces with more remote options.