Over 155,000 members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada union — more than one-third of all federal employees — went on strike April 19, fighting for higher pay. “Now more than ever, workers need fair wages,” the union said. Government officials had offered a measly 3% increase a year for three years. Food prices are rising 8.9% a year and mortgages 26.4%. The bosses say workers demands are “unaffordable.”
Soaring prices are a key question in large strikes in Germany, the United Kingdom and France, and in U.S. labor negotiations.
The Militant will have on-the-scene reports next week.