Striking federal workers rally at Grand Parade

CITYnews halifax \ By Mark Hodgins

Dozens of striking federal workers packed into Halifax’s Grand Parade on Wednesday morning as Public Service Alliance of Canada job action entered an eighth day.

The workers went on strike on Apr. 19, looking for a bigger wage increase than Ottawa was offering and more flexibility to work remotely.

Negotiations were expected to continue on Wednesday.

Chants of “the workers, united, will never be defeated” rose from Grand Parade as rally-goers then held a march through the downtown.

The PSAC had also said this week that it would be ramping up picketing efforts to include places like ports, though there have been no reports of impacts to operations at the Port of Halifax.

However, striking workers limited entry to the Prime Minister’s Office building and the Treasury Board headquarters on Tuesday. Federal ministers say they are watching for blockades of critical roads and infrastructure.