OTTAWA — Canadians faced a variety of delays and disruptions on Wednesday after the largest union of federal government workers went on strike over a variety of contract issues, including wages and remote work.
Nearly 111,000 members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, who work largely in administrative, clerical and maintenance roles, took to picket lines at about 250 locations across the country.
The union also includes another roughly 44,000 members who are considered essential workers, like firefighters and prison guards, and are not legally allowed to strike.
The walkout was expected to create backlogs at border crossings with the United States, slow cargo entering Canada and cause delays in the issuing of visas and the handling unemployment insurance, as well as prolong the processing of passporte.
Canada’s Federal Workers Strike Over R.T.O. and Pay
The largest public sector union in Canada went on strike on Wednesday over wages and return to office rules, causing delays to border crossings and passport and income tax services.
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Picketers stand outside the Prime Minster’s Office waving the flag of their labor union and bearing signs highlighting inflation.
Striking workers rally outside of the Prime Minister’s office in Ottawa on Wednesday.Credit…Blair Gable/Reuters
Ian Austen
By Ian Austen
April 19, 2023
OTTAWA — Canadians faced a variety of delays and disruptions on Wednesday after the largest union of federal government workers went on strike over a variety of contract issues, including wages and remote work.
Nearly 111,000 members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, who work largely in administrative, clerical and maintenance roles, took to picket lines at about 250 locations across the country.
The union also includes another roughly 44,000 members who are considered essential workers, like firefighters and prison guards, and are not legally allowed to strike.
The walkout was expected to create backlogs at border crossings with the United States, slow cargo entering Canada and cause delays in the issuing of visas and the handling unemployment insurance, as well as prolong the processing of passport applications, pension payments and military veterans’ benefits.
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The walkout was also expected to disrupt the processing of income tax returns that are due May 1 and may hinder the issuing of refunds.
Several cabinet ministers warned that large application backlogs may develop in their departments if the strike continued for an extended period.
Fuente: NYT, EEUU
