Hundreds of military personnel were left without heat or hot water at CFB Petawawa after over 500 public service workers began their strike Wednesday.
“The workers at the plant were not deemed as essential workers and they’re out on the picket line just like everybody else,” Randy Phinney, president of the Local 629 Union of National Defence Employees, told CTV News.
“I am very surprised that they weren’t deemed essential.”
While some of the newer buildings still had amenities, 21 buildings on the base were left without them for three days after Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) members went on strike Wednesday, according to Acting Commander Andrew Mills.
Several offices on the base were also without heat on Friday. Officials say they expect services to return soon after having to send serving members home.
CFB Petawawa houses over 5000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces in the Ottawa Valley near the town of Petawawa. Nearly 1000 civilian employees at the Department of National Defence also work at the base.
PSAC represents roughly 35,000 workers at the Canada Revenue Agency and 120,000 employees in a variety of departments, including tradespeople, teachers, firefighters, Employment Insurance and Immigration workers.
Disruptions affecting Canadians include processing income taxes at the Canada Revenue Agency, passport services such as renewals and deliveries, and delays when applying for licenses, certificates and registrations.
Canadians can also expect longer processing times at Employment and Social Development Canada and Service Canada locations.
PSAC demanded up to 47% compensation increases over three years, according to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, which would cost taxpayers $9.3 billion. The average pay for a full-time federal employee is $125,300 including pension and benefits, according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer.
