Category Archives: telework

Join PSAC’s legal fight against the arbitrary telework mandate for federal workers

telework télétravaille

As part of our ongoing fight to rescind the federal government’s arbitrary one-size-fits-none telework policy for federal public service workers, PSAC is now encouraging members impacted by the mandate to file individual grievances contesting their telework agreements.

Collectively filing thousands of individual grievances will hold Treasury Board accountable for violating the agreement on telework PSAC negotiated in the last round of bargaining and pressure them to respect their obligations under the agreement.

The government’s misguided telework policy flies in the face of the collective agreement and the Letter of Agreement on Telework that we fought hard for and won in the last round of negotiations. Part of that agreement committed the government to creating joint panels in each department to handle telework disputes individually and fairly based on the unique personal situation of all workers.

But for over a year, the government has delayed and stonewalled our efforts to establish most of these panels, instead rolling out a regressive policy that limit our members’ flexibility around telework.

The Trudeau Liberal government has shown a complete disregard for federal public service workers and the bargaining and consultation processes that are fundamental to labour relations. Filing individual grievances will put incredible pressure on the government to respect its obligations under the agreement and move forward with the creation of these joint panels in each department.

File an individual grievance

Individual grievances should be filed for the following issues:

  • Where the amended Direction on prescribed presence in the workplace results in a member being arbitrarily required to work more days in the office;
  • Where a member has had an existing telework agreement disregarded or altered because of the Direction;
  • Where a member experiences additional adverse impacts because of their membership in a human rights-protected group;
  • Or, where a member has experienced losses or out-of-pocket costs because of the Direction.

Grievances should be individualized to reflect the specific circumstances and concerns of individual members. You may adapt and customize the template grievance language provided in our frequently asked questions section. However, you should always go through your union when submitting a grievance. Contact your local and/or component for support from a steward or labour relations officer.

PSAC’s legal challenges

Unfair labour practice complaints

Given the profound impact this decision has on workers, PSAC took immediate legal action by filing two unfair labour practice complaints with the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board on behalf of the FB and the PA, SV, TC, and EB bargaining units. The Union of Taxation Employees (UTE), a componeent of PSAC, did the same on behalf of members at CRA. These complaints accuse the employer of bad faith bargaining.

Our complaints maintain that Treasury Board and CRA are attempting to circumvent not only the bargaining process but the role of the union as bargaining agent by altering terms and conditions of employment that were negotiated at the bargaining table. In fact, PSAC called off our national strike and entered into a collective agreement based on commitments from Treasury Board that they now refuse to honour. The FB complaint also claimed the employer breached the statutory freeze by altering terms and conditions of employment while bargaining.

PSAC demands the employer revoke these unilateral changes and engage in meaningful consultation to restore trust and adherence to the previously agreed upon terms.

Policy grievance

PSAC filed a policy grievance challenging the arbitrary application of management rights and the discriminatory impact of the amendments, which will disadvantage members of human rights-protected groups.

The policy grievance directly challenges Treasury Board’s arbitrary and unreasonable exercise of management rights, as well as the employer’s back peddling on the principles enshrined in the Letter of Agreement on Telework. The grievance addresses the abuse of authority, given the employer’s decision was based on political pressure, rather than a genuine assessment of workplace needs or concerns.

The grievance also addresses the systemic discriminatory impact the amendments will have on many employees based on human rights grounds — such as disabilities and family caregiving obligations — due to the reduced accessibility, inclusiveness, and flexibility of workplaces in the federal public service.

The policy grievance calls for the rollback of these amendments and meaningful consultation with PSAC going forward. It also seeks damages to compensate affected employees for all losses they may experience.

Next steps

PSAC remains dedicated to opposing these unilateral changes and advocating for fair labour practices that respect the rights and needs of all members. We will continue to keep members informed as this situation evolves, including more information about the joint panels.

Join us in the fight for telework that works for workers: 

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

Largest federal unions launch major fightback campaign against new in-office mandate

person working from home

In a unified action, Canada’s largest federal unions representing more than 270,000 federal public service workers have filed a series of legal challenges and will be taking action across the country in opposition to the Liberal government’s new mandate requiring its workers to report to the office three days per week.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE), and the Association of Canadian Financial Officers (ACFO) are launching a united fightback campaign to oppose the government’s one-size-fits-all approach to hybrid work, which violates the hard-won rights of employees and fundamentally breaks the trust of workers and unions in this government.

“The decision to force workers back into ill-equipped and poorly maintained offices is purely political, and puts the services Canadians depend on at risk,” said Chris Aylward, PSAC national president. “The Liberal government props itself up as a friend of public service workers, yet at every turn they continue to ram through backroom decisions without any consultation that impact the well-being of workers and their families.”

“Workers feel betrayed, and we will be using every recourse we have available to fight this mandate and enforce a telework model that works for workers.”

The government was already struggling to implement its previous mandate requiring workers in the office two days a week due to the lack of adequate workspaces and proper tools for workers. In the federal budget, the government has doubled down by committing to sell half of all federal buildings, which will only put more strain on office space for workers.

“This isn’t just about an extra day in the office for workers,” added Aylward. “This misguided decision sets up workers to fail, pushing them into physical offices that don’t have enough workspaces, where they don’t have the right equipment to do their jobs effectively, only to spend their days on virtual calls with their coworkers who work all across the country.”

This week, PSAC filed a series of legal challenges against the government, and will also encourage members to file individual grievances to force this government to withdraw their mandate.

Letter to President of the Treasury Board

Joint letters calling for urgent action were sent to Treasury Board President Anita Anand and NPD leader Jagmeet Singh.

In the letter to Treasury Board President Anita Anand, these unions express their outrage and opposition to the recent, unilateral amendment of the government’s telework mandate.

We’re calling for immediate action and accountability on a number of issues including: lack of consultation and erosion of labour relations, the advisory process, the inability to implement policies, the impact on workforce productivity and well-being, and lack of trust and respect.

Letter to NDP leader

In the letter to NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, the same unions express their concern that the NDP continues to support a government that so flagrantly disregards the rights and well-being of workers. We ask the NDP to use their influence through the Liberal-NDP Confidence and Supply Agreement to hold the Liberal government accountable and champion the rights of workers.

Critical issue at the FB bargaining table

Since the mandate was announced, more than 26,000 PSAC members have sent letters to Treasury Board President Anita Anand and their MPs demanding the government withdraw its one-size-fits-all telework mandate on telework.

“This government better prepare for a summer of discontent,” said Aylward. “Workers are incredibly frustrated and outraged, at this government’s flagrant disregard for workers’ rights, and they’ll be taking to the streets and their workplaces in concerted, coordinated actions across the country.”

More than 50,000 members – nearly one third of all PSAC Treasury Board members – responded to our survey on the new mandate in just a few days, highlighting the widespread opposition to the policy change. Notably, 85% of respondents strongly oppose the three-day in-office mandate, with 90% prepared to take action against the government, and nearly half are prepared to give PSAC a strike mandate in the next round of bargaining over the government’s approach to telework.

PSAC members also overwhelmingly said the government’s increased in-office mandate would harm their ability to balance work and personal responsibilities (90%), their mental well-being (85%), job satisfaction (81%), and productivity and efficiency (78%) following the decision.

Telework is a critical issue at the bargaining table for 9,000 PSAC members at Canada Border Services Agency, who will wrap up strike votes for May 15. If an agreement isn’t reached on key bargaining issues including telework, fair wages and equitable pension reform, Canadians can expect major delays at border crossings and ports of entry across the country this summer.

Content in this article was first posted on the PSAC website.

Three-day in person mandate: Have your say

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On May 1, 2024, with blatant disregard for the well-being of its workers, Treasury Board announced that by September 9, federal public service workers will be required to be in-office a minimum of three days per week.

Your experiences and perspectives are essential to shape the union’s strategy to fight back against the employer’s misguided and unilateral decision.

Take the survey

Please take 5 minutes to complete this survey. Your personal information will be kept confidential. The deadline for completing the survey is May 20, 2024.

Together, we can show the government that we’re prepared to take action.

Thank you for your participation.

Sincerely,
Chris Aylward

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.