Civilian workers on strike outside military bases in Ontario and Quebec are braving the cold while demanding higher wages, which a local union president says is forcing some members to rely on food banks.

Robyn Delph oversees the student chaos at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario, where dozens of staff were sounding whistles, stopping traffic, and handing out information about the reasons for the work stoppage on Tuesday.

She is also the president of Local 00681 with the National Defence Employees Union (UNDE), which is calling for the establishment of a national wage grid to regulate pay across the country.

Using her own role as an example, Delph said a similar position in Ottawa could earn up to $10 more per hour, describing this amount as "life-changing," and said staff should receive equal compensation for the same job.

Delph said, "We have members working three and four jobs just to provide a roof over their heads and food on their tables, we have members going to food banks to feed their families."

Nearly 500 members of the Canadian Public Service Alliance (PSAC) and UNDE went on strike after negotiations with the employer broke down last week, and the workers involved in the strike work with the non-public funds group and deliver programs through the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS).

About 140 workers at CFB Kingston and another 140 at Garrison Petawawa were on strike as of Monday, according to the union, along with about 70 staff in Ottawa. 

In a statement to CBC, CFMWS said it regretted being unable to reach an agreement with the union, "We are open to further negotiations to reach an agreement as required and remain committed to reaching a timely and positive outcome for all parties involved," according to a quote attributed to Ian Poulter, CEO of CFMWS.

The statement read: "We are steadfast in our commitment to our Canadian Armed Forces communities and hope to minimize any service disruptions as much as possible."

CFMWS said that managers would step in to work during the strike, but services including fitness centres, military retail stores, and recreation programs may see reduced hours or rescheduling of events.

PSAC National President Chris Aylward joined pickets in Ottawa on Monday where he called on Defense Minister Bill Blair to return to the bargaining table.

Aylward said, "These are among the lowest-paid public sector workers in the country, and we say it’s time to treat them with respect and give them a decent and fair wage."

The temperature was about -7 degrees Celsius in Kingston on Tuesday  and the area was under a warning from Environment Canada for snowfalls between 5 and 10 centimetres and reduced visibility. Despite the cold, Delph said her members were prepared for the weather and came equipped with heated tents to give them a chance to get out of the elements.

Delph said striking workers take care of the wellbeing of soldiers and their families through their work in food services, recreation, and other forms of support, adding that it is now time for CFMWS to do the same for its employees, adding, "They have to start caring about the morale and wellbeing of the people who provide these programs, right now, it doesn’t seem they want to."