Some Canadian workers in wage pact with govt to end strike from Monday

Canada reached agreement for a new wage deal with a union representing 120,000 federal workers, the union said on Monday, bringing an end to the country’s largest public sector strike that had crippled services from tax returns to immigration.

While the 120,000 Treasury Board employees are set to return to work, more than 35,000 revenue agency workers striking since April 19 are expected to continue into Monday, the union, which represents both groups, said in a statement.

“Strike action continues across the country for 35,000 members at Canada Revenue Agency,” the union said, adding that talks would resume with a new mandate for a fair contract.

Their key outstanding concerns include fair wages, the right to work remotely, and the role of seniority in layoffs.

However, the Treasury workers’ deal exceeded “the employer’s original offer before the launch of strike action”, the union added.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) union, which had been in collective bargaining for a new contract since 2021, ramped up pressure on the government last month by calling for the rare wide-ranging strike.

The resulting shortage of staff at about two dozen government agencies caused delays and disruptions in services such as passport renewals.