As part of our collective agreements for federal workers, PSAC negotiated a letter of agreement (LOA) on telework to protect workers from arbitrary decisions about remote work. The LOA was designed to ensure that managers assess each remote work request individually, rather than as a group. It also required managers to provide written responses, helping PSAC hold the employer accountable for fair and equitable decision-making.
However, the federal government violated this agreement by unilaterally imposing a rigid one-size-fits-none mandate, forcing workers back to the office three days a week.
PSAC is actively fighting back against this backwards mandate through legal challenges and a joint campaign with other public service unions to defend your rights. Because if the government can so easily break this agreement, what’s stopping them from undermining the rights of other groups? Our collective strength is the key to protecting all workers from the erosion of hard-fought gains.
Progress on joint review panels
Despite these obstacles, PSAC has been working closely with components and federal government departments to establish joint union-management review panels. These panels provide a fair, case-by-case review process for resolving grievances related to remote work.
If your telework request relates to a request for accommodation, it will not be reviewed by the joint panel, as accommodation requests should follow the appropriate duty-to-accommodate procedures.
So far, panels have been set up for over 100,000 members, including in major departments and agencies such as Employment and Social Development Canada, National Defence, and the Canada Revenue Agency. Work is ongoing to establish panels across all remaining departments to ensure every member has access to this resolution process.
How the process works
The joint review panels are an alternative dispute resolution mechanism for members whose telework requests have been denied. They offer recourse for grievances that have not been resolved at earlier stages, giving members an opportunity to have their cases reviewed by a joint panel of union and employer representatives.
Here’s how it works:
- Start with your telework request: Submit your new or revised telework request and await the written decision from your manager.
- File a grievance: If your telework request has been denied, we encourage you to file a grievance and follow the established grievance process under the collective agreement.The point of filing grievances is to hold the employer accountable. When we’re bargaining for the next round, these grievances will provide concrete examples of the way our members have been impacted.Remember, you should seek support from your union when submitting a grievance. Contact your local and/or component for support from a steward or labour relations officer before proceeding.
Find more information about filing a grievance in our Frequently Asked Questions: Telework.
- Access the joint panel: If no settlement is reached prior to the final step of the grievance procedure, you have the option to refer the grievance to the joint review panel. The process varies by department, so you’ll need to contact your component for support as they will understand the terms of reference and process that applies to you.The joint review panel will review the submissions presented by the parties and make a non-binding recommendation to the Deputy Head or their delegate who holds the final level decision in the grievance procedure.
Next steps
PSAC will continue to keep you updated on the status of the joint panels and next steps in our fight to protect your right to fair and flexible work arrangements.
- Sign the petition: Demand the repeal of the three-day in-office mandate.
- Take our survey: Share how the mandate impacts your work and life.
- File a grievance: Hold the government accountable for violating the telework agreement.
- Read our FAQs: Get answers to your most pressing questions about telework and the government’s mandate.
- Use our digital tools: Show solidarity with virtual backgrounds, social media images, and #RemoteWorks posters.
This article was first posted on the PSAC website.
