The Public Service Alliance of Canada, Quebec Region (PSAC-Quebec) was disappointed to learn last week that Treasury Board and federal agencies decided to order a four-day in-office mandate.
Sébastien Paquette, Executive Vice-President for PSAC-Quebec, had this to say about the announcement:
- This decision aimed at pleasing the chambers of commerce lobby is unacceptable to our members. Remote work is a win-win for workers and the Canadians they serve.
- What is particularly shocking is that we are currently in bargaining with Treasury Board and the federal agencies on this very subject.
- This decision will increase traffic and pollution, and further strain members’ work-life balance.
- Most workplaces don’t have enough physical space for everyone. For example, the Shawinigan tax centre[EC1] has 500 desks available for PSAC-UTE’s 1,100 members.
- Shared workspaces are noisy, which makes focussing challenging and hinders productivity. They also force members to take time when they arrive to make ergonomic adjustments in order to prevent workplace injuries and accidents.
- The irony is that members will spend much of their workdays in the office in virtual meetings with their coworkers.
PSAC complaint
PSAC filed an unfair labour practices complaint with the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board last Friday.
Labour Board upholds PSAC complaint
The Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board ruled on January 21 that the employer cannot avoid negotiating telework into the collective agreement. This confirmed that telework provisions are a valid subject of negotiations between the employer and PSAC.