The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has reached a tentative deal with its union that is expected to end the threat of a strike by support staff and some food inspectors.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada will be holding a membership vote on the tentative contract within several weeks. If approved by a majority of the 3,400 PSAC members of the agency’s staff, the deal would ensure that inspectors continue to work through the summer.
Opposition MPs had worried that a strike could jeopardize public confidence in food safety and the fight against importing foot-and-mouth disease.
The tentative deal increases base salaries, offers employees a $500 lump sum payment and raises premiums paid to employees forced to work split shifts or weekends. The union is recommending its members ratify the contract.
The federal auditor general recently argued that the agency must find more money and improve conditions to retain existing staff and to attract new inspectors. Agency officials say they hope a review of CFIA operations by the treasury board will produce significant new funding later this year.
