Federal Unions Rally Against Increased Office Presence Mandate
Union Members Protest Government’s Policy Change
Members from various federal unions, including the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE), the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), and the Union of Safety and Justice Employees (USJE), rallied in front of Ottawa City Hall on Thursday morning. Source: Union holds rally for remote work outside of Mayor’s Breakfast event.docx They condemned the federal government’s decision to increase public servants’ required office presence from two to three days a week by mid-September, with executives expected on-site at least four days a week. Source: Union holds rally for remote work outside of Mayor’s Breakfast event.docx
Lack of Justification and Data
The unions cited a lack of justification or data supporting the policy change. Source: Union holds rally for remote work outside of Mayor’s Breakfast event.docx CAPE’s president, Nathan Prier, said it was “really unclear” what justified the update, noting that no data or explanation had been provided. Source: Union holds rally for remote work outside of Mayor’s Breakfast event.docx
Unions Threaten “Summer of Discontent”
PSAC and CAPE promised the government a “summer of discontent” over the issue, including protests and encouraging their members to contact Treasury Board President Anita Anand and their members of Parliament to ask them to withdraw the decision. Source: Union holds rally for remote work outside of Mayor’s Breakfast event.docx
Union Criticism of Government’s Motives
The campaign organized by CAPE stated that the federal government was “bending to political pressure” rather than supporting its employees. Source: Union holds rally for remote work outside of Mayor’s Breakfast event.docx This was likely in reference to Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s previous calls for the federal government to send its workers back to the office. Source: Union holds rally for remote work outside of Mayor’s Breakfast event.docx
Treasury Board President Anita Anand’s Response
Clarifying the Decision
Treasury Board President Anita Anand clarified that the decision to increase public servants’ in-office presence from two to three days a week was an administrative decision made by the Treasury Board Secretariat, in consultation with the Privy Council and deputy ministers across the government. Source: Union holds rally for remote work outside of Mayor’s Breakfast event.docx
Hybrid Work and Flexibility
Anand emphasized the importance of hybrid work and flexibility, stating that the updated policy still allows for a hybrid work model. She acknowledged the need to listen to public servants’ needs and accommodate exceptions for those who require them. Source: Union holds rally for remote work outside of Mayor’s Breakfast event.docx
Anand’s Statements
“I really have faith that we will do more with the telework options so that public servants feel continually supported,” Anand said. Source: Union holds rally for remote work outside of Mayor’s Breakfast event.docx
“Hybrid work is important,” Anand said. “It is important to have flexibility. It is important to be able to hear from public servants and employees generally about what they need to cope in the workplace.” Source: Union holds rally for remote work outside of Mayor’s Breakfast event.docx
Prioritizing Relationships with Unions
Anand stated that she had met with union leaders “on several occasions” and would continue prioritizing relationships with unions regarding the policy update. Source: Union holds rally for remote work outside of Mayor’s Breakfast event.docx
COVID-19 Impact on Workforce
Acknowledging the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Anand noted that the return to the workplace had been “difficult” and that the pandemic was “so hard on our workforce.” Source: Union holds rally for remote work outside of Mayor’s Breakfast event.docx
Union Criticism and Planned Actions
Questioning the Rationale
Nathan Prier, the president of the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE), expressed concerns over the lack of justification for the policy update. He stated, “It’s really unclear what justified the policy update, noting that no data or explanation had been provided.” Source: Union holds rally for remote work outside of Mayor’s Breakfast event.docx Prier questioned the rationale behind the decision, as the 2024 budget had committed to converting half of federal buildings into housing.
Threatened “Summer of Discontent”
The unions, including CAPE, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), and the Union of Safety and Justice Employees (USJE), threatened a “summer of discontent” over the issue. Source: Union holds rally for remote work outside of Mayor’s Breakfast event.docx Their planned actions included:
- Organizing protests
- Encouraging their members to contact Treasury Board President Anita Anand and their Members of Parliament
- Asking them to withdraw the forthcoming decision
Seeking Flexibility and Collaboration
Sonia O’Brien-Colterman, USJE’s regional vice-president for the RCMP in the National Capital Region, expressed a desire for flexibility. She stated, “We’d just like the option to have some flexibility.” Source: Union holds rally for remote work outside of Mayor’s Breakfast event.docx CAPE’s president, Nathan Prier, suggested a collaborative approach, saying, “We think that the path through all of this is to grant remote work rights, have an idea of what you actually need for office space for occasional meetings, for collaboration, and then start really coming up with a community plan.” Source: Union holds rally for remote work outside of Mayor’s Breakfast event.docx
Supporting Downtown Revitalization Efforts
Prier also expressed CAPE’s likely support for the Ottawa Board of Trade’s plan for downtown revitalization, which included repurposing federal buildings. Source: Union holds rally for remote work outside of Mayor’s Breakfast event.docx This plan aimed to bring 40,000 more people downtown by 2034 through various measures, including the conversion of federal buildings.
Public Opinion and Downtown Revitalization Efforts
Public Support for Increased Office Presence
An Angus Reid Institute poll, published on the same day as the union rally, revealed that a majority of Canadians (59 percent) supported public servants spending more time in the office. Source: Angus Reid Institute This finding suggests a significant portion of the public favors a shift towards increased in-person attendance for federal employees.
Mayor Sutcliffe’s Downtown Revitalization Plans
Ottawa Board of Trade’s Strategy
During the Mayor’s Breakfast event, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe highlighted plans by the Ottawa Board of Trade to revitalize the city’s downtown core. The strategy outlined by the Board of Trade proposes repurposing federal buildings as a means to accommodate an additional 40,000 residents in the downtown area by 2034.
Potential Benefits
- Increased downtown population could stimulate economic growth and support local businesses.
- Repurposing federal buildings for residential use could help address housing needs in the city.
- A revitalized downtown area could enhance the overall vibrancy and attractiveness of Ottawa.
Balancing Perspectives
While a majority of Canadians support increased office presence for public servants, according to the Angus Reid poll, the union protests highlight the concerns and preferences of federal employees regarding remote work flexibility. Mayor Sutcliffe’s downtown revitalization plans aim to leverage the potential influx of workers to benefit the city’s core, but these efforts must also consider the needs and preferences of public servants and their unions.
