Workers at CFB Moose Jaw on the picket line after failed contract negotiations

The Canadian Force Base Moose Jaw was established in 1940 as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. (Cally Stephanow/CTV News)

Select support workers at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Moose Jaw are on the picket line after the recent failure of contract negotiations.

Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) Prairies employed by Sodexo officially began their strike at 5 a.m. Tuesday.

The PSAC Prairies members are represented by the Union of National Defence Employees (UNDE) Local 40807.

According to PSAC, the strike consists of 35 Sodexo employees which include cooks, general help and maintenance staff. Negotiations fell through over conversations around improved wages and benefits.

“At a time when Canadians rely on safe, clean and well-functioning base operations, workers should not be forced to strike to be heard,” Marianne Hladun, PSAC’s regional executive vice-president for the Prairie region said in a news release.

“These are critical workers who deserve respect, fair wages, and decent working conditions.”

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The national union went on to note the work stoppage raises “broader concerns” around the use of contracted services at military bases and other federal sites.

PSAC ended its update by calling on Sodexo to return to the bargaining table with “a fair agreement that respects workers and the services they provide.”

In a statement to CTV News, CFB Moose Jaw’s public affairs officer confirmed the job action, noting the base is working to “ensure the continuity of essential services.”

“Anyone travelling to 15 Wing is advised of significant delays entering the base and are asked to exercise caution when approaching the base and the 9th Avenue area,” the statement read.

Sodexo declined to provide a statement, noting it does not comment publicly on labour discussions.

Sodexo is a food services and facilities management company, which boasts 6,000 employees nationwide.

Formed in 1966, PSAC represents 245,000 workers across Canada. Its members include those working for federal government departments and agencies, Crown Corporations, universities, airports, and the security sector in addition to community services agencies and Indigenous communities. The union is headquartered in Ottawa.