PSAC intensifies ad campaign asking Trudeau to make good on his word

OTTAWA, Oct. 31, 2016 /CNW/ - As PSAC members head back to the bargaining table with the federal government, the union is expanding its ad campaign calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to make good on his word.

The union is asking Mr. Trudeau to live up to his election promise to be a partner, rather than an adversary, to federal workers.

"In the last election, Canadians rejected the Harper Conservative agenda of cuts to public services," said Robyn Benson, National President of PSAC. "But our members, and all Canadians, have not seen the change promised by the Liberals."

PSAC's Make good on your word ad campaign launched two weeks ago, with radio and newspaper ads in Ottawa/Gatineau, Halifax and Toronto. The ads will now be broadcast nationally and run in newspapers across Canada.

Over the past year, the Liberal government has continued to push the Harper Conservative approach in contract talks. Public service workers are also still coping with problems caused by the Phoenix pay system.

"Despite the hardships our members have endured because of the Phoenix debacle, they still report to work every day," said Benson. "This demonstrates the strong commitment of these workers to the vital services they provide Canadians. The time has come for Mr. Trudeau and his government to put their words into action and show their own commitment to public services."  

PSAC members will participate in actions across the country today, calling on the Liberals to drop the Conservative agenda and return to the table with proposals that respect workers and strengthen public services.

"Respecting and supporting the people who deliver the vital services we all depend on is in everyone's best interest," said Benson.

• Service Canada workers don't have enough resources to process EI and disability claims in a timely manner, leading to lengthy wait times for Canadians who depend on these benefits.
• Teachers in First Nations communities have fewer resources than their provincial counterparts. This is unfair to Indigenous children, who deserve a quality education.
• Federal firefighters are unfairly denied benefits available to their provincial counterparts when they face cancer and other illnesses as a result of their job.

The union returns to the bargaining table with the federal government on November 1. PSAC is the largest union representing federal public service workers and has been in negotiations for over two years.

SOURCE Public Service Alliance of Canada

Media Contacts: Véronique Breton, Mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]