December 21, 2022

The federal government’s blanket hybrid work plan tramples on workers’ collective bargaining rights and forces a flawed one-size-fits-all approach on a diverse and evolving public service.  

This week, PSAC is filing a statutory freeze complaint against Treasury Board and agencies for unilaterally imposing changes to our members’ working conditions while we’re in negotiations for 165,000 federal public service workers. Making changes to working conditions while those very same issues are at the bargaining table is against the law. 

In the coming weeks, we’ll also provide guidelines to support members and PSAC components in filing grievances against the government once the policy comes into effect January 16. 

You can take action today by sending a clear message to decision-makers that we won’t settle for anything less than a contract that enshrines a fair process for remote work in our collective agreement and provides wages that keep up with the cost of living. 

Add your name today

More than 80% of PSAC members surveyed oppose the government’s hybrid work plan and are prepared to take action – including taking strike action – to fight for better work-life balance, fair wages, protections against harassment and discrimination in the workplace and other top bargaining priorities. 

Strike votes next step for a fair contract 

We’ve seen nothing but disrespect from this government at the bargaining table, and Treasury Board’s senseless hybrid work policy adds insult to injury. It’s becoming clear holding strike votes to secure a strike mandate from PSAC members is the only way we’ll make real gains at the bargaining table. PSAC will be in touch with members in the new year to communicate next steps as we continue to escalate our pressure on the government. 

Take a few minutes to fill out our short survey to show your support for ramping up our mobilization activities across the country and, update your contact information to make sure you’re getting all the latest bargaining updates in your inbox or via text message.

https://psacunion.ca/psac-2023-calendars-now-available

GoC Together has written the attached Open letter to the Government of Canada regarding the future of remote work for federal public servants. We encourage you to read it and consider adding yourself to the petition.

https://www.goctogether.ca/en/letter-to-the-employer

Message from the CEIU National President 

Today, an emergency meeting of the CEIU National Executive was held to discuss the government’s order to return to the office.

The entire National Executive feels that this decision is deeply binding on our membership. 

We are continuing our conversations with the employer to try and reach a mutual understanding. 

We will get back to you in the coming days with more information.

In Solidarity,

Eddy Bourque

National President

December 15, 2022

Despite a week of denials, Treasury Board announced today it would unilaterally impose a restrictive hybrid work policy for all federal public service workers in the core administration.  

This blanket policy mandates workers to come into the office 2-3 days per week, or 40-60% of their regular working hours; regardless of the operational requirements of their job.  

The policy comes into effect January 16, 2023, and will be fully implemented by March 31. Agencies and separate employers have been urged to put in place similar policies.  

The government’s decision doesn’t have the best interest of workers at heart and is completely at odds with the direction the government has been moving towards for remote work. 

It’s unacceptable that right before the holidays, workers will be scrambling to make new arrangements for child care, transportation, and possibly relocating if they’ve been hired remotely and are now being asked to come into the office.  

We demand that the government halt their plan. PSAC is reviewing all our options in response to this announcement, and will take the necessary steps to protect our members’ ability to work remotely.  

Federal public service workers have proven they can deliver the services Canadians depend on, whether working remotely or in the office.  

Remote work must be negotiated at the bargaining table 

Remote work is a key issue at the bargaining table for PSAC’s 165,000 federal workers this round of bargaining, and unilaterally changing the terms and conditions of our members’ employment during negotiations is an egregious violation of workers’ collective bargaining rights. 

The lack of clarity around the policy raises more questions than answers, and PSAC does not have confidence the government can put in place the health and safety requirements and the necessary tools for all federal public service workers to return to the office in the new year. 

Members who have already returned to the office have told us they’ve come into the office without desks or chairs available for them, or returned to empty buildings to spend the entire day on video calls with colleagues working elsewhere. 

We will continue to provide updates to PSAC members as we fight to protect our members’ rights.

Dear members,

Most of you have received the email sent by the Deputy Minister’s office regarding the Treasury Board’s announcement that we will be mandated back to work in the office for 2-3 days per week.

This announcement has come to the surprise of everyone. Neither PSAC and CEIU were consulted in this decision and both will be fighting this decision. Already meetings are being had and plans are being made.

One thing is for certain, this will only help mobilize our membership. The Treasury Board knows that we are in Collective Barganing and that one of the main items being negotiated is the work from home.

I encourage everyone to voice their opinion. Whether you want to return to the office or not. We are not asking that everyone work from home, we are asking for the right to choose whether we work from home or not. Feel free to share the attached images on your social media, send it to your friends or family. Make sure Mona Fortier knows how much we appreciate her gift.

Let’s unite in solidarity!

This message is being sent to Service Canada locals across Canada.

Dear members,

I want to start by thanking you for your activism and service to our members. I am writing to you directly today to make you aware of a discussion held at the ESDC National Labour Management Consultative Committee (NLMCC) with the Deputy Minister Jean-Francois Tremblay on Monday, December 5, 2022. During the meeting, the DM Tremblay made the following statements:

• That he “was disappointed with employees” because they were given a choice and flexibility with telework and they chose to come into the office the least number of times possible.
• That he challenges our comments about family/childcare being an increased cost for those who are forced to come into the office.
• That not all employees are women, so the others should be coming in more often in person.
• That his intention moving forward will be that ALL employees will come in at least once or twice a week, if not more.

As you can appreciate, he was strongly challenged on these comments. I do not recall having ever been so astounded, or offended, by statements made by the senior most executive at ESDC.

Given the threat of his statements, rumours about an imminent announcement and the impact it will have on our members, as well as his comments about women, we will be actioning the following steps before the holidays:

• The National President and I have organized a meeting with the other national union leadership attending the NLMCC for a strategy session to discuss a common approach.
• I am writing to the Minister and other relevant parliamentarians regarding the comments made by DM Jean-François Tremblay and demanding action.
• We have made the PSAC aware and are collaborating with them in our efforts to what is likely to become a fight back campaign, with special consideration to the collective bargaining process. PSAC is very supportive of an internal shaming campaign on this topic.
• We have and will continue to use social media to conduct pressure tactics on the Deputy Minister and the Minister of ESDC.
• We have put this item on the agenda of all upcoming and relevant national meetings, and would encourage you to do the same at the local and regional level.

Thank you everyone for your consideration, this is a fight back campaign we must be united with. Please be aware this is an internal campaign for our members.

We encourage you to contact your leadership if you want to get involved. Stay tuned for more updates. And to you, our members, allow me this opportunity to wish you a happy and healthy holiday season. Thank you for all you do on behalf of our union and the labour movement.

In solidarity,

Crystal Warner

National Executive Vice-President

Hello members!  I recently attended the Southwest conference for the CEIU November 25 to 27, 2022.  It was three days of non-stop learning.  On the Friday, the PSAC regional representative, Morgan Oddie, gave some excellent information about a potential strike.  One of the key points was members who have to strike would have their net pay covered by the PSAC ($75) and the CEIU ($50) and possibly – the local union.  This is great news for anyone who might have to be on the picket line.  The Union is looking out for us!

In terms of who would have to be on the picket line, it seems that 75% of workers would be labeled essential and have to attend the workplace (in person or virtually).  25% of workers would be on the picket lines.  Members will receive a letter with their designation.  Obviously, a lot more information will be communicated if we get to this point.  It would likely be early Spring 2023 if a strike occurs.

Charito Humphries was there by Zoom to give an update about the bargaining team.  It’s no secret that the employer is not willing to provide fair wage increases that keep pace with inflation and the cost of living.  We all feel the pinch, at the grocery store (lettuce, anyone?!?), the gas pumps and in paying for housing.   We worked hard during the pandemic years to look after Canadians, we continue to serve the Canadian public, and the employer needs to recognise it and compensate us fairly for the work we do.

I learned some great information about the duty to accommodate from Leslie McGee, a National Union Representative.  The teaching and discussion is so helpful for your union executive as we represent our members.  The more we learn, the better we can advocate for you.

One of the great things about a conference like this is the opportunity to meet some of our union leaders and other executive members.  They have so much experience and knowledge to share.  Various leaders such as our national vice-president for Ontario, Phil Matheson, and the National President, Eddy Bourque spoke and gave updates about union activities in the region and across Canada.

There was a lot of discussion about involving members in union activities and making sure members know what is happening with bargaining.  The workplace has changed dramatically and so we are not able to meet people in the lunchroom or by the Keurig machine to have those chats.  The local union is working to provide a safe, fair, and just workplace for everyone.  We want you to know we are learning how to represent members and their concerns better every time we attend a conference like this.

As we face a potential strike, it is important for all of us as members to understand the issues and if it comes to a vote, to send a strong message to the employer that we are united in our desire for fair treatment! We are part of a strong, active union working for the Treasury Board and when we are united, we can change things for the better.