Canadans Face Delays amid Federal Workers' Strike
Deal Reached to End 120,000-Worker Strike
OTTAWA, Canada - A significant portion of Canadians faced various delays as approximately 120,000 federal workers participated in a strike that commenced on Wednesday morning.
Strike Impacts Airport Security, Border Crossings, and More
The strike, organized by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), affected several sectors, including airport security, border crossings, and passport offices. According to the PSAC, nearly a third of Canada's federal workforce participated in the industrial action.
At major airports such as Toronto Pearson International Airport, travelers experienced extended wait times due to reduced staffing levels at security checkpoints. Similar delays were reported at border crossings, disrupting the flow of trade and travel.
Passport offices were also affected, with the PSAC claiming that delays in processing passports extended to several weeks. This disruption caused significant inconvenience for Canadians traveling internationally.
Deal Reached to Resolve Dispute
On Monday, the Canadian government and the PSAC reached a tentative agreement to end the strike. The deal includes a 4.5% wage increase over four years, as well as other concessions related to working conditions.
The PSAC's national president, Chris Aylward, stated that the agreement provides "a fair deal for our members and recognizes the essential work they do." The federal government expressed its relief over the settlement, emphasizing the importance of restoring services to Canadians.
With the deal in place, federal workers are expected to return to their duties in the coming days. However, it may take some time for operations to fully resume and delays to be minimized.
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