Poor pay forcing civilian military workers to use food banks, union says

Striking civilian workers are picketing outside military bases in Ontario and Quebec, weathering the cold while calling for a boost in wages that one local union president says force some members to rely on food banks.

Robin Delve supervises the cadet mess at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont., where dozens of employees were blowing whistles, stopping traffic and handing out information on the work stoppage on Monday.

She's also president of Local 00681 with the Union of National Defence Employees (UNDE), which is calling for a national pay grid to regulate wages across the country.

Using her own role as an example, Delve said a similar position in Ottawa could be paid as much as $10 an hour more.

She described that amount as «life-changing,» and said employees must receive equal compensation for the same job.

«We have members that have three and four jobs just to put a roof over their head and food on their tables,» Delve said. «We have members that are going to the food banks to feed their families.»

Nearly 500 members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and UNDE are off the job after negotiations with their employer broke down last week.

Staff involved in the strike are with the non-public funds group and deliver programs through Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS).

Roughly 140 workers at CFB Kingston and another 140 at Garrison Petawawa were on strike as of Monday, according to the union, along with about 70 employees in Ottawa.

Civilian staff in Bagotville, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Valcartier in Quebec are also on the picket line.

Employer wants 'swift' outcome

In a statement, CFMWS said it regrets being unable to reach a deal with the union.

«We remain open to further negotiations to