More than three months after Bank of Canada security officers began job action, the Ottawa dispute remains unresolved. While there has been progress toward a resolution in Montreal, 42 officers in Ottawa remain on strike, seeking to protect their current scheduling and overtime provisions.
PSAC offered independent arbitration as a fair and impartial way to resolve the outstanding disagreements. The Bank refused that offer.
The officers, represented by PSAC Local 71250, have been on strike since June 23, 2026. Their collective agreement expired on December 31, 2024. Here is what you need to know.
What remains unresolved in Ottawa?
The outstanding issue concerns maintaining the current scheduling and overtime provisions.
These provisions govern how officers’ work is scheduled and how overtime is handled. A fair resolution must address the Ottawa officers’ concerns about protecting these working conditions.
Where do things stand in Montreal?
Seven security officers in Montreal were locked out on June 23. Since then, there has been progress toward resolving their dispute, which centred on compensation for additional duties.
The Montreal and Ottawa bargaining units have separate collective agreements. Progress in Montreal does not resolve the outstanding scheduling and overtime issue for the 42 officers on strike in Ottawa.
What has PSAC proposed to end the dispute?
PSAC offered to submit the outstanding disagreements to independent arbitration, allowing a neutral third party to hear both sides and make a binding decision.
This would provide a fair and impartial process to resolve the dispute. The Bank refused the offer, rejecting a concrete path to a settlement.
What has happened with replacement workers?
The Canada Industrial Relations Board has twice found that the Bank violated federal anti-scab provisions during the dispute.
On July 8, the Board ordered the Bank to stop using Garda replacement workers. On July 22, it found another violation involving Pinkerton replacement workers and again ordered the Bank to stop.
Four unfair labour practice complaints have been filed over the course of the dispute.
Why do these rulings matter?
The rulings demonstrate that federal anti-scab protections can be enforced. Employers that violate those provisions can be ordered to stop using replacement workers.
For the officers on the picket line, the goal remains a fair collective agreement. The Board’s orders address the Bank’s use of replacement workers; the outstanding bargaining issue still needs to be resolved.
What needs to happen next?
PSAC is calling on the Bank to resolve the outstanding Ottawa issue and reach a fair agreement.
After more than three months on strike, security officers deserve a resolution that protects their working conditions and allows them to return to work. PSAC has proposed a fair way forward. The Bank must act to end the dispute.