Non-Public Funds workers take to the picket lines on Monday

Without a contract since 2022, members took part in strike votes from Nov. 20 to Dec. 14.

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Published Jan 15, 2024 • 4 minute read

Staff of the Non-Public Funds on strike on Labelle Street on Monday. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia

Almost 500 Non-Public Funds workers represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) made their way to picket lines in Ontario and Quebec on Monday morning to demand a fair contract agreement.

Members working in Ottawa rallied together by the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) and the CANEX Retail Store buildings on Labelle Street starting at 8 a.m. Monday morning. Pickets were bundled in winter jackets, hats and ski pants as the windchill made if feel like -20 C.

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According to PSAC, strike action is impacting Non-Public Funds workers in Bagotville, Kingston, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Ottawa, Petawawa and Valcartier. Some members made their way to picket lines by 6:30 a.m.

Julie Laska, picket captain and president of Local 70682 under the Union of National Defence Employees, said she has worked as a Non-Public Funds employee for almost eight years. She said it’s bittersweet to be on strike, but said workers need to be on the line to fight for their salaries.

“Do we want to be here? No. We want to reach an agreement with the employer,” said Laska, who is a member of the bargaining team. “People are here. We’re cold, but we’re here. It’s important.”

CFMWS is a separate agency, with NPF workers supporting Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans and their families by delivering morale and various welfare services. Forming part of the federal public service, they work in retail and food service through the Canadian Forces Exchange System, in financial planning for Canadian Armed Forces members through SISIP financial and in community service, physical fitness and recreation.

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According to the Government of Canada website, CFMWS operates on behalf of the chief of defence staff and under the authority of the defence minister. As staff are not National Defence or Treasury Board employees, they have their own pension and pay system, and collective agreements.

Without a contract since 2022, members took part in strike votes from Nov. 20 to Dec. 14. On average, 94 per cent of members voted in favour of strike action. This is the first time that Non-Public Funds workers have voted for a strike mandate and the first PSAC strike since the national movement last spring.

Non-Public Funds workers walk the picket line on Monday. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia

NPF workers are fighting for fair wages, a national pay grid for workers across Canada and better job security. According to PSAC, NPF workers in Petawawa make less than a dollar per hour more than the federal minimum wage.

“We are some of the lowest paid public servants,” Laska said, adding that about 75 members are working in Ottawa, though low wages cause a high rate of turnaround. “I love that I get to support the military every single day, and I just want to be supported to do that role.”

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PSAC national president Chris Aylward said this strike is about wages. While the parties are “not that far apart,” he said they’re still “not there.”

“You could be doing one job here in Ottawa and somebody in Edmonton could be doing the exact same job but yet get paid six or seven dollars more an hour,” Aylward said. “For far too long, these members have been underpaid, and now we’re looking basically to do catch up. It’s almost like a domino effect. You pay the workers a low wage, they move on and the military are the ones who suffer because there’s a constant changeover and turnover in the staff who provide those services.”

Alex Silas, PSAC’s regional executive vice-president for the National Capital Region, said last week that the agency was using “scare tactics,” encouraging workers to cross the picket line, signalling that their pay would be stopped and that benefits would be cut off.

In a statement, NDP labour critic Alexandre Boulerice said it was “deeply disappointing that the federal government has been unable to reach a fair agreement” with PSAC.

“These dedicated workers answer calls from our Canadian Forces seeking crucial support for their well-being and for morale,” Boulerice said. “We call on the Liberals not to interfere in these workers’ right to strike, and to swiftly come to the negotiation table with a fair agreement that respects these workers who serve to ensure that Canada’s forces and their families are provided with the services and programs they need.”

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Andrée-Anne Poulin, a spokesperson for the Department of National Defence, said the CFMWS is “prepared for strike action.”

“CFMWS services that could be impacted include, but are not limited to, physical fitness facilities, CANEX (military retail store), and recreation programs,” Poulin said. “CFMWS aims to maintain the same level of service and programming so we can continue to serve our members despite the strikes.”

Non-Public Funds workers walk the picket line on Monday. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia

Poulin said operational committees are in place to support the organization during a strike and ensure “minimal disruptions” to key operations as well as the protection of personnel, property and facilities. Poulin said plans are in place to continue providing “certain services,” adding that the impact on other services is being mitigated by reducing facility opening hours and rescheduling non-essential events.

“CFMWS regrets that an agreement could not be reached between the parties to date,” Poulin said. “We are hopeful that the parties can reach a negotiated agreement at the table, and remain dedicated to the collective bargaining efforts aimed at achieving a fair contract for our employees.”

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Diana Ebadi, press secretary to Minister of National Defence Bill Blair, said the minister believes that the best deals are made at the table and encourages both PSAC and CFMWS to work together on achieving a fair contract for employees.

“He remains hopeful that a good, negotiated agreement can be reached,” Ebadi said.

Aylward said PSAC is waiting for the employer to come back to the table, adding that the union is ready to go back tomorrow morning if the agency has “something fair and decent” to present.

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