VIDEO: Striking federal workers bracing for a long strike

Picketing federal workers in Kelowna are upbeat after six days on strike, but not optimistic that a deal will be struck anytime soon.

"There has been some movement," said strike captain Sue Moser, "small movements back and forth last week with our table, but not anywhere near being close to an agreement."

Moser is referring specifically to the CRA negotiations which account for just one of five groups of employees with talks happening at separate tables with the federal government.

155,000 members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada are striking, but about a third of them are still on the job after being declared essential.

The union represents a wide range of federal workers from those who help people renew their passports or review their tax returns.

Federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is urging striking public sector workers to agree to what she is describing as a "very fair" proposal.

The Government has offered less than 10% over three years.

Tax agency workers have been asking for an increase of 22.5% over three years, while the Treasury Board workers are looking for a 13.5% wage hike.

"We've had really good positive public support," said Moser. "We've had other unions support us."

That included a big lunch supplied by the hospital employees union.

"So I thank them from the bottom of my heart," she said.

Moser said people can relate to how pay hasn't kept up with the cost of living.

"Everyone is suffering right now. Inflation is gone crazy," said continued.

She understands not everyone is in support.

"Not everyone," she said.

But she said even those who might not honk in support of the picket lines stand to benefit in the long run.

"If we obtain something close to what we're asking for that usually trickles down," she said. "Over history, that's what we've seen."

The union has declared it's plans to escalate it's job action until a settlement is reached.