Federal Workers in Canada Will Vote on a Strike. Offices Have Not Closed.

On October 21, the Public Service Alliance of Canada said about 120,000 federal workers will vote on a strike mandate from November 16 to January 22. The union said talks with the Treasury Board broke down after a year and a half. In May it had called a wage offer of less than 1% a year insulting. PSAC says the government has refused to negotiate wages, job security, remote work, and protections involving artificial intelligence.

The voting group includes wildland firefighters, passport and benefit officers, fishery officers, federal teachers, librarians, and administrative staff. If the vote passes, the union would be in a legal strike position for 60 days. President Sharon DeSousa said a strike is a last resort and that the goal is a collective agreement.

No walkout has started. No Canadian service stoppage, U.S. wage change, or price change was announced with the vote schedule.

Are Canadian passport or benefit services already shut down? No. The announced step is a strike vote, not a walkout. A legal strike could come only if members approve one.