Tens of thousands of federal public servants are now on strike to back contract demands for more money, clarity around remote work arrangements, as well as financial top ups for indigenous and bilingual workers along with case managers at Veterans Affairs and those who work after 4pm.

“155,000 members will be on strike as of 12:01 am (Wednesday),” announced Public Service Alliance of Canada President Chris Aylward after Tuesday evening’s 9 o’clock deadline.

While the strike gets underway, Alyward also said contract negotiations would continue.

“We are still here at the table, we will remain at the table, we will remain for as long as it takes during the strike,” Alyward explained, “And we’ll remain on strike until the government addresses our key issues.”

He said picket lines would be going up at more than 250 locations across Canada overnight.

Both union and the government representatives have said a walkout would cause delays or disruptions to a number of federal services, including tax filing, Employment Insurance, immigration and passport applications.

A number of federal ministers, including Mona Fortier, president of the Treasury Board, are expected to address reporters later today and provide an update on how the bargaining is going.