Northern Sask. federal employees go on strike

“It’s not only about our salary. Every worker needs fair wages, good working conditions and inclusive workplaces,” Williams wrote.

“155,000 employees have asked and continue to ask for inclusive public service where everyone feels safe and respected. Remote working, as proven in the past, we are able to provide all services to Canadians from remote working. Fair wages as inflation at 10 per cent just for groceries continue to grow and we have asked for a 4.5 per cent increase a year. This amounts would be [an] extra $12 a day/$1.40 per hour/$100 per pay.”

Williams notes she travels 800 kilometers per week to remote Indigenous communities to provide services. She said the demand on workers increased during and after the COVID pandemic, which has resulted in employees working longer hours and more days.

Beatty explained inflation has been a main concern, along with her ability to work remotely. She wrote about how the cost of living has increased significantly in La Ronge in terms of groceries, fuel and electricity.

“[The] cost of meat has skyrocketed and [now] I feel that traditional hunting and gathering is what I am going to need to fall back on more if these prices continue,” Beatty said. “The fuel is just ridiculously overpriced; I gas up here on my reserve using my status card to save as much money as I can, as of today the cost of fuel on the reserve currently is $1.65 a litre without the rebate.”

Beatty mentioned she would also like to continue working from home. Before the pandemic, she commuted to La Ronge and she said working from home would save her both money and time.

larongeNOW reached out to the Treasury Board for a comment on the matter and a new release from Tuesday was sent in response. It states the government has done everything it can to reach a deal and avoid disrupting the services that Canadians rely on.

“Our goal has always been to reach agreements that are fair and competitive for employees, and reasonable for taxpayers. While we recognize and respect the right to strike, a strike should always come as a last resort,” the release stated.

“The government has presented a fair, competitive offer to the PSAC and responded to all their demands. This includes a nine per cent wage increase over three years, as well as proposals on other important PSAC priorities, such as telework, shift premiums, improved leave with pay for family-related responsibilities, and measures to support employment equity and diversity and inclusion. Even though there is a competitive deal on the table, the PSAC continues to insist on demands that are unaffordable and would severely impact the government’s ability to deliver services to Canadians.”

Read more of the federal government’s response online here.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno

by Derek Cornet

Northern Sask. federal employees go on strike

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