The largest union representing federal government workers wants taxpayers to fund its woke “unconscious bias” training and a “social justice fund” among a deluge of other pricey demands.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), which represents over 120,000 federal employees, voted this week in favour of a strike mandate.
Their list of demands includes a $17,000 per person education fund for staff who have been laid-off, mandating “unconscious bias” sessions, a “social justice fund” under PSAC’s control, special shift premiums for employees who have to work later than 4:00 p.m. and extra paid days off for employees who self-identify as Indigenous so they can go hunting, fishing or harvesting.
“(PSAC demands an) amount of not more than seventeen thousand dollars ($17,000) for reimbursement of receipted expenses of an opting employee for tuition from a learning institution and costs of books and relevant equipment,” writes the union.
“The Employer shall contribute one cent ($0.01) per hour worked to the PSAC Social Justice Fund and such a contribution will be made for all hours worked by each employee in the bargaining unit,” the demand notice continues.
“An employee working shifts will receive a shift premium of two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) per hour for all hours worked, including overtime hours, between 4 p.m. and 8 a.m.”
According to Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) federal director Franco Terrazzano, Canadians should not be expected to cover costs for programs he characterizes as “out-of-touch.”
“Canadians can’t afford to keep paying more and more and more,” said Terrazzano.
“The federal government has to draw a line and say no to out-of-touch union demands.”
According to the CTF, the 40-hour work week top up could cost taxpayers up to $2 million extra per year.
Data from the Parliamentary Budget Officer shows that on average full-time government workers make $125,300 per year.
