Unions Voice Concerns over Potential Full Return to Office for Federal Public Servants
The Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) are expressing concern over rumours of a mandatory return to the office for federal public servants.
In a letter dated November 28, CAPE voiced its worries “regarding persistent rumors regarding the imminent proclamation of a new return to office directive,” believing the previous return-to-office implementation “was a complete fiasco.”
CAPE President Nathan Prier stated in a Monday morning interview that he has received no communication regarding these potential changes.
“But if it’s true,that means the new boss is just like the old one,” Prier said. “We had high hopes after our recent meeting with the President of the Treasury Board, Mr. Ali, but it is obvious that he and probably Clerk Sabia are not interested in productivity gains, in reducing costs for Canadian taxpayers, in a better work-life balance […] or the environmental impact of unnecessary travel. We have a government that claims to seek efficiency, but ignores the obvious solutions.[…] We should be converting our offices into housing, but instead we are wasting billions to make public servants less productive.”
## PSAC Reacts to Rumours of Full Return to Office
The national executive vice-president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), Alex Silas, hopes reports of a full return to office are just rumours.
“Maybe it’s just a scenario [envisaged dans] a presentation,but it shouldn’t go any further. This would truly be a serious mistake for the Carney government, especially when they are looking to find savings in the federal public service and they are threatening job losses to find these savings. It has been said for a long time that it is by promoting and adapting to teleworking that the federal government can find savings.”
> It would be better, it would be more economical, more smart that the government, rather [d’un retour à temps plein au bureau] adapts to teleworking as the future of work and leads the charge for this modernization of the way we work.
He indicates that his union has requested a meeting with the President of the Treasury board to discuss the matter.
A high-ranking government official, aware of the situation but not authorized to speak publicly, neither confirms nor denies the data reported by *The presse*. Though, she notes that discussions are ongoing regarding the best way to deliver services to Canadians, but that no decision has been made.### an Unrealistic Solution for Unions
For Mr.Silas, as for Mr. Pray, returning to the office five days a week is simply unrealistic
materially.”When we went to three days [au bureau] it caused big problems, waiting lines, people who couldn’t find a place to work. Than, we are still in this reality,” he reports.
Federal Government Considers Changes to Telework Policies for Civil Servants
The canadian federal government is currently reviewing its telework policies as it prepares to accommodate a potentially notable increase in civil servants returning to the office five days a week. The Treasury board is examining current practices within the public sector, as well as approaches taken by private companies and other governments, according to Transport Minister and Gatineau MP Steven MacKinnon. https://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/politique/1893998/tele-travail-fonction-publique-mac-kinnon
MacKinnon stated he is awaiting the results of the Treasury Board’s assessment, emphasizing that decisions regarding public service management models are traditionally made by and for civil servants. He also assured that any changes will be implemented in accordance with existing collective agreements with public service unions.
Though, Chris Pray, president of the Association of Canadian Professional Employees (ACEP), points out that current collective agreements do not explicitly guarantee a right to flexible teleworking arrangements. https://www.acep-cpef.ca/ Pray believes the current situation highlights the need for unions to actively negotiate for telework provisions in future collective bargaining.”We have to win that in our collective agreements. We have to force this conversation,” he said.
The potential shift comes as the government anticipates increased office occupancy with civil servants. The review by the Treasury Board aims to determine the best approach to managing the workforce while respecting both employee needs and the terms of their employment.