Public servants with PSAC vote in favour of strike action

Members of Canada's largest public sector union have voted in favour of a strike mandate affecting more than 120,000 public servants.

Members of Canada's largest public sector union have voted in favour of a strike mandate affecting more than 120,000 public servants.

The vote puts Public Service Alliance of Canada members a step closer to what could be one of the largest strikes in Canadian history. A strike would create service disruptions in a number of areas across the country.

"PSAC members are feeling squeezed along with everyone else," national president Chris Aylward told a news conference in Ottawa on Wednesday.

"Our members have been without a contract since 2021. Today, an overwhelming majority of our members have told us they can't wait any longer, and they are prepared to strike to secure a fair deal that won't see them fall behind."

Strike votes in several bargaining units were held from Feb. 22 until Tuesday. PSAC officials did not provide the exact result but said members voted "overwhelmingly" in favour of striking.

Last week, 35,000 Canada Revenue Agency workers voted in favour of strike action. That means more than 155,000 public servants from five large bargaining groups could be in a legal strike position by the end of this week.

"Our members don't take the decision to strike lightly. They know that a strike will be difficult for them and for the Canadians who depend on the services they provide. But they're exercising their bargaining power because they just can't wait any longer. … They're sending a message to the government that they won't be taken for granted," Aylward said.