(Montreal) The Public Service Alliance of Canada is withdrawing from meetings with the federal government on the issue of telework, seeing it as “a facade consultation” and “a real farce.”
The large pan-Canadian union of 260,000 federal public servants has been furious since the federal Treasury Board imposed a return to work in the office three days a week.
The PSAC has already indicated that it has filed a principle grievance, based on the letter of understanding on telework that was agreed between the parties during the last negotiations to renew the collective agreements. And the Alliance encourages its members to file individual grievances in this regard.
Now, PSAC is leaving meetings on “Orientation on Mandatory Attendance at the Workplace.”
“The whole process is a complete farce. Treasury Board clearly has no intention of cooperating,” said PSAC National President Sharon DeSousa.
In addition to violating our telework agreement, his actions demonstrate a disregard for the concerns of our members.
Sharon DeSousa, PSAC National President
“The PSAC participated in good faith in consultations with the Treasury Board on the issue of telework, but it encountered systematic opposition. Each time we asked the employer if changes to the Orientation were being considered, we were misled,” maintains the Alliance.
“When the federal government announced its ill-advised decision to force public servants to work in poorly equipped offices, it did not consult with unions. Since the announcement, PSAC has been calling for the Orientation, which has significant gaps, to be suspended and revised. However, its request has been ignored,” PSAC added.
The Government of Canada specifies that “implementation continues for departments that have communicated and established a minimum number of days per week in accordance with this direction.”
“For departments that have not yet implemented a minimum three-day-per-week attendance requirement, full implementation will occur no later than September 9, 2024.”
In its guidance on hybrid work and mandated presence at work, the Government of Canada explains that it wants to adopt a “common approach” capable of ensuring equity in the federal public service.
He also says he wants to provide public services to Canadians “while strengthening their confidence in the public service.”