(Ottawa) Nearly 500 civilian employees from military bases in Quebec and Ontario began a strike on Monday over wages and job security.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Union of National Defense Employees (UNDE) say their members have been on the picket lines since 6:30 a.m. Monday morning.
In Quebec, the walkout will affect Canadian Forces bases in Montreal, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Valcartier and Bagotville. Elsewhere in Canada, bases in Ottawa, Kingston and Petawawa will be affected.
PSAC National President Chris Aylward says members are lobbying to get the collective agreement they deserve.
The union argues that employees of the Non-Public Funds, a federal agency, are paid much less than workers in similar jobs in the central federal public service, and that they have been without a contract since 2022.
Workers provide food, recreation, community and financial planning services to military personnel and veterans.
“These people provide essential support to military personnel and their families. Yet many barely earn minimum wage and must juggle two jobs to make ends meet,” lamented Mr. Aylward in a press release.