Federal government highlights 4 issues in talks with PSAC; union says some movement on wages

As more than 100,000 public servants walk picket lines across Canada Monday, on the sixth day of a nationwide strike, the federal government says four key issues remain unresolved. But the head of the union representing workers says there has been some movement on the issue of wages.

As more than 100,000 public servants walk picket lines across Canada Monday, on the sixth day of a nationwide strike, the federal government says four key issues remain unresolved.

But the head of the union representing workers says there has been some movement on the issue of wages.

Contract talks over the weekend between the Public Service Alliance of Canada and the Treasury Board failed to produce a deal. Workers, who were not picketing Saturday and Sunday, returned to picket lines across the national capital region and elsewhere in Canada Monday, in areas such as major ports.

In an open letter Monday afternoon, Treasury Board President Mona Fortier said the union came to the table with "over 570 demands" and the two sides have reached an agreement on nearly all of them.

"Four key PSAC demands remain: wage increases; making telework a negotiated right for some employees; a ban on contracting out; and a requirement that, in the event that the size of the workforce needs to be adjusted, decisions concerning which employees to retain would be based on seniority," Fortier wrote.

During a news conference Saturday outside an Ottawa hotel, PSAC national president Chris Aylward identified three of these issues and the main sticking points, but did not mention a ban on contracting.

Fortier's letter responds to each of the four issues. The government reiterated its offer of a nine per cent increase over three years for workers, compared to PSAC's demands of 13.5 per cent over three years. Fortier said the government's offer would provide the average employee with an extra $6,250 per year. In addition to the nine per cent increase, the government has also agreed to a signing bonus for every member.