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Federal ag employees back to work after tentative deal reached

Federal ag employees back to work after tentative deal reached

About 35,000 Canada Revenue Agency workers remain on strike

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Federal ag workers are back at work May 1 after the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Treasury Board reached a tentative agreement.

This includes employees with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and other federal departments, and Canadian Grain Commission employees responsible for inspections and other technical services.

Educational and library services staff, and operational services staff, who are in charge of operating federal buildings, are also back on the job Monday morning.

In total, about 120,000 of the 155,000 striking workers have resumed their duties.

PSAC members must ratify the deal before it takes effect.

“This agreement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of PSAC members who held the line on fair wages and better working conditions,” the union said in a May 1 statement.

Approximately 35,000 Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) workers remain on strike. Key issues for the CRA employees are wages, remote work and job security.

In terms of wages, the PSAC secured a 12.6 per cent increase over four years for its members.

The union originally called for a 13.5 per cent increase over three years, which the federal government countered with an offer of 9 per cent over three years.

Workers will also receive a $2,500 one-time lump sum payment.

Mona Fortier, president of the Treasury Board, is pleased the two sides were able to find common ground.

“The best deals are reached at the bargaining table—we respect the right to bargain and appreciate Canadians’ patience and understanding over the past two weeks,” she said on Twitter Monday. “We are deeply grateful for public servants who work hard to serve Canadians and look forward to welcoming them back.”


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