🪧 Federal Civil Servants Strike
Stats – Strike Edition
Weather: Calm
Number: 570. The number of demands by Public Service Alliance of Canada
Participant of the Day: Alex Silas, an Alliance member who works as a cheerleader at picket lines across Canada
Quote: ‘There have been ups and downs, there has been kicking and screaming’ – Treasury Board President Mona Fortier on CTV’s Question Period
- The Treasury Board has released an open letter with its priorities. They include:
🔻 9 per cent wage increase over three years, which should average around $6,250 per year
🔻 Signing bonus of unknown value
🔻 Jointly review remote working with the Alliance
🔻 Reduce but not completely remove contracting out work
(CBC) (The Open Letter)
- Picketers limited entry to visitors to one person every five minutes at the Prime Minister’s office and at the Treasury board. (Canadian Press)
- ‘PSAC has argued this strike is a fight for all workers facing rising prices, and that many of those on strike are low-paid public servants making between $40,000 and $65,000 a year. Not so, says Treasury Board. The majority of the full-time employees in the Treasury Board groups on strike earn between $50,000 and $75,000 and only about three per cent make under $50,000’. (Kathryn May in The Functionary)
- Ottawa tax accountant Eric Saumure has launched a petition asking that this year’s tax deadlines be extended because Canada Revenue Agency employees are not available to answer questions. (Elyse Skura at CBC) (The Petition)
⚽ Atlético Ottawa
- Atlético Ottawa have announced a new purple-hued kit that recognizes the crucial role of Shelter Movers Ottawa. Shelter Movers provides essential services for survivors of intimate partner violence, and $10 from the sale of each jersey will go to the organization. (Atlético Ottawa) (Pre-order)
🎼 Ottawa Vice
- The National Arts Centre Orchestra’s musical director, Alexander Shelley, is taking on a Florida orchestra. His additional job is with Artis-Naples, an organization that includes the Baker Museum and the Naples Philharmonic. Shelley will continue to work in Ottawa, as well as his existing gig as principal associate conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. (Lynn Saxberg in the Ottawa Citizen)
🐻 Bear killed in Kanata
- The Ottawa Police Service killed a bear wandering in Kanata's Bridlewood neighbourhood yesterday. The two year-old bear is believed to be the same one that has been spotted in various places in the West End recently. Ottawa ByLaw and the National Capital Commission had been trying to trap the bear since last Friday. (Michael Woods at CTV)
💦 City Renews Sewer Insurance Contract
- Last year, many residents were worried that they were contacted by a scammer when they received sewer insurance letters with the City of Ottawa logo. It turned out to be legit but everyone has learned a lesson. Homeowners are legally responsible for the sewer and water lines between their house and the property line. As repairs could cost 10s of thousands of dollars, insurance can be a good idea and the City contracted with a company to offer it to residents. However, the resulting letter looked fake. The renewed agreement with Service Line Warranties of Canada means that the company can still use the City’s logo but is clear that it is a third-party service, not an official letter. (Peter Szperling at CBC)
🏀 Summer Sports Reporter needed
- The Ottawa Sports Pages is hiring a sports journalist for the summer. As it's funded through a Federal youth job scheme, successful candidates will need to be under 30 years of age. $15.50 per hour. (Ottawa Sports Pages) (Job Description [PDF])
