There have only been two Canada\u002Dwide strikes in recent memory — 1991 and 2004. A third would be different in today’s political, social and economic landscape
That was 32 years ago. It’s hard to predict what might happen if there is a strike this year.
Disruption? Yes. A shutdown? No. Strikes can’t affect services and operations that are essential to the safety and security of Canadians. The union’s only power is to interrupt government services, but there’s a fine balance. Disrupting the lives of Canadians risks losing the public’s support.A striking federal employee lies on the hood of a car whose driver was arrested for trying to get through a picket line at a parking lot for Pearson airport employees.
In 1991, for example, about 110,000 of the union’s 155,000 members were eligible to strike, but about 45,000 workers such as customs officials and prison guards were deemed essential. Jobs are identified as essential if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the safety or security of the public would be at risk if a work stoppage interrupted the duties of the workers offering a service or operating a facility.
The fact that these agreements already exist across four of PSAC’s member groups also means that there is one less barrier to a strike. Finally, an agreement for what is by far the largest group—almost 99,000 PSAC members who work in program administration, information services, communications, secretarial services, office equipment, administrative services, welfare programs, clerical functions and data processing—was also signed on March 10.Article content
But in some cases, work processes will slow down, said Aubry. There will be fewer workers on the job at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Shipments of grain could also be disrupted with reduced numbers of grain inspectors. Ports may be picketed. The lights will stay on in federal buildings, but only important maintenance and repairs will get done.
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