MORE than 155,000 Canadian public servants will go on strike today to demand raises, with disruptions expected to tax, immigration and passport services, their union announced.

After months of negotiating with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) said it had failed to reach an agreement over cost-of-living raises to keep up with inflation.

Nearly one-third of Canadian public servants are expected to hit picket lines at more than 250 locations, according to the PSAC. 

Canada last saw a strike of this size in 1991.

“We are at the beginning of a historic strike (to reach) an agreement that takes into account the cost of living,” Chris Aylward, PSAC president, told reporters last night.

Among other demands, civil servants are seeking a 13.5% wage increase over three years, or 4.5% annually to keep up with inflation. The government has countered by offering 9% spread over three years. 

Canada’s inflation rate slowed to 4.3% year-on-year in March after peaking at more than 8% in June. 

The union also wants more flexibility over telecommuting.

After pandemic restrictions were rolled back, public servants who had worked remotely were expected to return to their offices two or three days a week by March 31. 

The labour dispute is expected to slow or entirely shut down some federal services, including the processing of immigration and passport applications, the PSAC said in a statement.

With more than 35,000 striking workers employed by the Canada Revenue Agency, tax season could be brought to a halt. 

“As a result of the labour action, Canadians should expect that some services will be delayed or unavailable,” the government said in a statement. – AFP, April 19, 2023.