Workers at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action, sending a clear message to their employer: it’s time to get serious about reaching a fair deal.
Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) Local 76000 held strike information sessions and votes during the week of October 20. The result gives their bargaining team a powerful mandate as negotiations reach a critical point.
IDRC funds research that tackles some of the world’s biggest challenges. Its employees make that work possible. Yet after more than a year at the bargaining table, they’re still fighting for fair wages and better working conditions.
The union has been negotiating with IDRC since July 2025. While agreements have been reached on some issues, significant differences remain over wages, workloads, the right to disconnect, and protections around performance management.
Members have been patient. They’ve given negotiations a chance. And now they’ve made it clear they’re prepared to take the next step.
“IDRC talks a lot about making the world a better place. That commitment should extend to the people doing the work,” said Ruth Lau MacDonald, Regional Executive Vice-President for PSAC’s National Capital Region. “Our members aren’t asking for anything unreasonable. They’ve spent more than a year trying to reach a fair agreement, and they’ve now shown just how united they are. IDRC management needs to take that seriously.”
A strike isn’t inevitable, and members would much rather have a fair collective agreement. But this vote leaves little doubt about their willingness to fight for one.
The next move belongs to IDRC.
PSAC-NCR stands with Local 76000 members as they push for the agreement they deserve.
Follow the latest bargaining updates at Local76000.ca and at psac-ncr.com.