NATIONAL – Federal public-service workers across the nation came together in various municipalities on March 19, to protest against the government’s proposed changes to a sick-leave policy. Organized by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and its provincial and territorial branches, the nationwide rally included events in several cities in every province. “We are coming together to call for a stronger public service for all Canadians,” PSAC national president Robyn Benson said in a press statement on the day before the rallies. “We all reject the Treasury Board’s ‘Go to Work Sick’ plan. Instead, we want to negotiate measures for healthier workplaces.” Background information from the union noted that all federal public-service collective agreements were up for renewal and that cutbacks had led to unhealthy work environments and poor morale among PSAC members. Mental-health claims had been rising in public-service work, and the government had been ignoring buildings in poor shape and toxic workplaces, the PSAC said. The union represents more than 170,000 public-service workers in Canada.