Collective Bargaining

Affordability is a reason for fair pay, not an argument against it. Every Canadian worker deserves pay that keeps pace with the cost of living. This government should invest in the people who build Canada, not ask more workers to take a pay cut.

Canada competes for global talent. If we want world-class scientists, engineers and tech experts working to strengthen Canada, we need to offer competitive compensation that keeps their expertise here serving Canadians.

We’re not saying everyone should work from home. We’re saying different work has different needs. Some work needs you in a lab, in the field or in an office. Some can happen anywhere. Give employees and managers flexibility to determine what works best based on the job and operational needs – and keep the focus on delivering results for Canadians.

Presence with purpose isn’t a perk – it’s a workforce tool focused on results. Presence when it matters, flexibility when it works, and results for Canadians either way. That flexibility benefits workers, helps government make better use of its workforce and delivers better value for Canadians.

Canada is losing experts at scale. You can’t build a strong Canada by dismantling the workforce protecting it. If the government wants to find savings, it should start with the billions going to outside contractors – not the scientists, health professionals, regulators, or engineers who keep Canadians safe.

Ambition requires capacity. Canada can set goals on AI, infrastructure, security and science, but it needs the experts to deliver them. Bargaining is about the conditions under which those people do that work, and whether Canada can attract and retain them. A strong Canada takes experts, and Canada’s experts deserve a fair deal.

Members are facing cuts, workplace uncertainty and major changes in how their work is done. But they’re coming to the table with solutions and are focused on reaching a fair deal.

Different groups use different forms of leverage. Each group chooses the path that makes sense for its negotiations. Whichever path you take, the goal isn’t a dispute – it’s a fair deal for Canada’s experts at the bargaining table.

Serious issues don’t require every bargaining group to take the same path. Each group has to make the strategic decision about what will build the best leverage at its table. What matters is whether government addresses the solutions members are bringing forward. Whichever path you take, the goal is never an impasse; it’s a fair deal for Canada’s experts.

Any strike would be a decision made by members through our democratic processes, once we reach a legal impasse at the table, not by any one individual. Our focus is on negotiating a fair agreement.

We’re prepared, not predicting a strike. Members want a fair deal, and they’re bringing solutions to the table. Government needs to meet us there.

Our members understand the impact a strike could have on Canadians, and they don’t take that lightly. The goal is always a fair deal at the table – not a dispute. But members can’t reach an agreement alone. It takes two parties to reach a deal – and two parties to avoid a dispute. Our members are bringing reasonable solutions to the table, and the government has a responsibility to meet us there and do the same.