Federal Labour Board Dismisses Complaint Over Strike Vote, Amid "Significant Concerns" About Irregularities

Strategic Insights -

The Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board has dismissed a complaint made by a government worker represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) over the union's alleged failure to properly communicate the shortened voting period for a strike vote. The decision, rendered on Thursday, revealed that 42,421 - or about 35 per cent - of the 120,000 eligible workers from across numerous federal departments and agencies had cast a ballot on whether or not to grant the union a strike mandate. The strike vote showed a strong majority in support of a strike, with over 80 per cent of those who voted supporting a work stoppage.

Key Takeaways:

  • A total of 42,421 workers - or about 35 per cent - of the 120,000 eligible workers from across numerous federal departments and agencies had cast a ballot on whether or not to grant the union a strike mandate.
  • The strike vote showed a strong majority in support of a strike, with over 80 per cent of those who voted supporting a work stoppage.
  • PSAC workers, including more than 35,000 Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) employees, staged a strike on Wednesday in search of higher wages and the ability to work remotely, among other demands.
  • The labour board expressed "significant concerns" about irregularities with the weeks-long strike vote, but refused to invalidate the vote because there was no evidence the charges raised by the complainant would have significantly altered the result of the tally.
  • PSAC had capped the number of attendees in online sessions at 5,000, which the labour board said was an "irregularity" that "deprived bargaining unit members of their right to vote."
  • The decision came after a complaint from a government worker who claimed PSAC failed to adequately communicate that they had shortened the voting period by eight days, making it difficult for them to cast a ballot.

Statistics:

  • 42,421 - the number of workers who cast a ballot on whether or not to grant the union a strike mandate
  • 35% - the percentage of eligible workers who cast a ballot on the strike mandate
  • 80% - the percentage of those who voted supporting a work stoppage
  • 100,000 - the number of Treasury Board employees represented by the union
  • 46,000 - the number of Treasury Board workers deemed essential, barring them from leaving their posts
  • 45% - the percentage of eligible CRA employees who took part in a separate strike vote
  • 92% - the percentage of eligible CRA employees who gave the union a mandate to strike

Sources:

  • Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board
  • Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC)
  • The Star