Over 300 striking federal workers in Windsor rallied in front of the Canadian Border Service Agency building on Ouellette Avenue Monday.
Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada have been on strike since Tuesday, April 18 looking for more compensation, better working conditions, and inclusive workplaces.
Barry Lamont, the union representative for Canadian Employment and Immigration Union Local 576, said the two sides met over the weekend.
"Negotiations have not gone well and it has really upset a lot of our members and that's why we've escalated our picketing and in this case rally," said Lamont.
According to a media release issued last week by the Canadian Revenue Agency, the union was offered a 9 per cent wage increase over three years but the union's counter offer was 22.5% over the course of three years, which includes a market adjustment of 2%.
"We put that money back into our community and hopefully that money goes back further and connects further to the tax fund," said Lamont. "I also see our jobs as protecting the tax fund. Many of our workers in Service Canada protect the fund and make sure money is distributed fairly and I'd like your viewers to understand that our workers work very hard to make sure your tax dollars are maximized," said Lamont.
Lamont indicated there has been a media blackout put in place for all further rounds of negotiations.
