Media Releases

Kingston - On January 27, 2021, Queen’s University announced the introduction of tuition fee parity between International and Domestic PhD Students. This announcement comes as a historic win for the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC Local 901), and our hundreds of migrant members who have been paying twice the tuition fees as their domestic colleagues until now.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Union of National Defence Employees (UNDE) have released a comprehensive report titled; “

Creating a public, non-profit long-term care system in Ontario – as proposed by the Ontario NDP today – is the only way forward to protect seniors and prevent further tragedies in the province’s nursing homes during the pandemic. 

Toronto - Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), Local 533, working at Casino Woodbine, received notice the Casino would be shutting down on March 15th, due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. PSAC proposed to the Employer (Great Canadian Gaming), that they grant special paid leave to workers to assist them. Furthermore, PSAC proposed that the Employer provide a special top up to Employment Insurance benefits should the situation require the facility to remain closed, which was also denied.

Toronto – The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) is calling on the Ontario government to do more to protect workers during this public health crisis. Specifically, special paid leave, along with income supports, are crucial to assist families who have been suspended from work by their employers.

Burlington – The Public Service Alliance of Canada’s (PSAC) Locals in the Burlington area, will be holding a rally against the government’s Phoenix Pay System. The problem plagued system continues to leave tens of thousands of workers with incorrect pay and after four years since its implementation we are still waiting for a resolution.  What:              Rally Against the Phoenix Pay System Where:           Canada Centre for Inland Waters (867 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington) When:             Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at 12 p.m. noon

Kingston - As the Phoenix pay disaster hits the four-year mark, PSAC members across Canada are holding public protests to increase pressure for government action. In Kingston, which has a large federal public sector workforce, the effects of this disastrous pay system continue to be felt in the community. The PSAC Kingston Area Council will be setting up a soup kitchen outside Liberal MP Mark Gerretsen’s office to speak with the public on the devastation Phoenix has caused and the government’s inept response to the crisis. What:              Soup Kitchen

Sarnia - Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), who work at Blue Water Bridge (DCL Local 501), have signed a new collective agreement on December 19, 2019. “We are happy to have a new contract that continues to improve our working conditions and acknowledges the important work our members perform to keep bridge operations going smoothly,” says Marcus Courchesne, PSAC DCL 501 President.

Cornwall - Members of the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE), a Component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), who work for the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority (GLPA), have entered into a legal strike as of November 18, 2019 at 6 p.m. PSAC/UCTE Local 00057, are the dispatchers and office staff who work in Cornwall and have been without a contract since June 30, 2016. The Local is comprised of 13 workers, 10 dispatchers and 3 office staff, who are integral to the operation of the seaway and the millions in economic trade that flow through it.

Ottawa – Cleaners employed by GDI Integrated Services who work at the Canadian Forces Base in Petawawa have been on strike since July 24th, 2019. GDI is demanding a number of concessions, including to health and safety provisions, benefits and staffing levels. What:             Rally at GDI Headquarters When:            Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at 10 a.m. Where:           GDI Headquarters (580 Industrial Ave #1, Ottawa)