Federal employees hit the bricks

Striking federal employees picket in front of the Canada Revenue Agency offices on Shirreff Avenue. Photo by Phil Novak.
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Twenty-five federal government employees hit the bricks in North Bay Wednesday as part of a series of national rotating strikes.

The employees, who belong to the Public Service Alliance of Canada, work for the Canada Revenue Agency in areas including collections, audit, payroll and GST, said local strike captain Marc Couture.

“We’ve been without a contract since Oct. 31 and we’ve been trying to negotiate with our employer, but we’re not getting a fair shake,” Couture said.

PSAC and the CRA had gone to conciliation, Couture said, “but our employer failed to agree to any of the report.

PSAC returned to the table on September 7, PSAC National President Nycole Turmel said, assuming that CRA would be ready to talk settlement based on the conciliation report recommendations.

"Instead, the Agency tabled an offer of 2.25%, 1.75% and 1.75% over three years," said Turmel, “a far cry from the Conciliation Board's recommendation of 3.0%, 2.75% and 2.5%.
A CRA spokesperson could not be reached for comment.

Couture said there could be “some” disruptions, depending on the nature of the rotating strikes, “but I don’t think any essential services will be missed.”

Two managers were on duty at the Shirreff Avenue offices where the striking employees work, Couture said.