Employees of a military base in Valcartier say they are getting paid less than their colleagues elsewhere in Canada.
The 140 employees, most of whom are women, are paid by the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services department. Though not military personnel themselves, they provide support services to the military and their families, with many working in accounting or as management for canteens and sports facilities.
The employees, who belong to the National Union of Defense Employees, have been without a collective agreement since summer of 2015.
Union local president Danielle Lemay said her base employees earn seven to 22 per cent less than counterparts on other bases doing similar jobs.
Lemay said a mediator has been called in. The most recent contract offer included an annual salary increase of 1.5 per cent for the next four years.
The offer also would classify union members who work 32 hours per week as part-time, which Lemay decried as a method of avoiding hiring permanent employees.
