The civil service is not to blame for government deficits and it won't take on the lion's share of the burden of fixing the problem, say unions on P.E.I.

Shelley Ward said her union is ready to march. (CBC)

Ottawa and P.E.I. face deficit problems, and both are asking public sector unions to help shoulder the load. Shelley Ward, president the Union of Public Sector Employees, representing provincial workers, worries government will be expecting more than a little help.

"For this province to send this message to say that we're going to make sure that there's wage freezes and no benefit enhancements, we're not taking that," said Ward.

Mary MacNeil, representing federal workers at the Public Service Alliance of Canada, is delivering a similar message.

"We'll get very political and we'll be making very strong statements," said MacNeil.

"We'll educate the membership to understand what their vote means and what they get if they vote for this government."

Both provincial Finance Minister Wes Sheridan and Gail Shea, the Island's representative in the federal cabinet, have been talking about the need for fiscal restraint.

"All governments face tough choices," said Shea.

"The people are the ones you have to listen to, and the people don't want to have a burden for their children."

"It's time that everyone just put their collective shoulder to the wheel," said Sheridan.

"Help us move forward through these next couple of years and get ourselves out of this downturn."

Most of the contracts for P.E.I.'s large public sector unions are up for renegotiation this month.

Ward said her members will not take the fall for what she calls the mismanagement of public money.

"If we have to march, we'll march," she said.