Approximately 120,000 federal public workers including employees in Grande Prairie will have a chance to debate and vote on whether or not to accept the tentative agreement between the Government of Canada and the Public Service Alliance of Canada.
The tentative agreement was reached on May 1st after debates and bargaining over the past month on the federal public servants strike. The agreement includes wage increases of 11.5% over four years, a group-specific allowance of 0.5%, and a one-time payment of $2,500. They will also improve leave with pay for family-related issues.
Local Union President Joshua Calkins says although the government offer was not what they expected, it is better than the previous one.
“It’s not what we were hoping for but we are taking a look at all of the information given to us all together we haven’t all decided yet but most of what is there is good,” says Calkins.
Calkins says their board on the bargaining table will review all the information given and then vote. President of the Treasury Board Mona Fortier, says the deals are fair, competitive, and reasonable.
“We are pleased to have reached tentative agreements with the Public Service Alliance of Canada for the Core Public Administration after many weeks of hard work, negotiation, and compromise. says Fortier
“The best deals are reached at the bargaining table. we respect the right to negotiate and appreciate Canadians’ patience and understanding over the past two weeks.”
No timeline on a ratifcation vote for the offer has been made public.