Facts:

• I was a public service for 23 yrs.
• I was at one time a union shop steward.
• I was a manager at one time.
• I’ve seen both sides of the discussion.

Let me state outright here and now that I do NOT believe Public Servants should have the right to strike. Neither do I believe certain other professionals i.e.: ambulance staff, doctors, nurses, police, fire people etc. 

No union should have the power as to disrupt basic services, some might call essential, to the people you serve.  Canadians should be able to rely upon these services. Frankly, in many cases unions have seen their day. And the Canadian government could have avoided “strikes” for the most part by simply tying the rate of pay to the cost of living index. If an employee needs/wants to earn more than let them train for a better position/job, compete for it and then move on to the new job.

Public servants should get it through their heads that it does matter a fig what the other guy gets … what matters is that you accepted the position/salary and benefits that go with your position. So long as your salary keeps pace with a realistic cost of living index you are not entitled in my opinion to strike.

In my time in the Public Service it was very difficult to fire someone. Well the employer has rights as well, if an employee is not doing the job, is grossly insubordinate, engages in a criminal act, etc. they should expect to be fired on the spot. If they can prove wrongful firing then there are processes in place to seek.

Likewise, the Government, has to ensure that the cost of living index is accurate.