PSAC has filed an unfair labour practice complaint with the Federal Public Service Labour Relations and Employment Board in response to the government’s announcement of the new in-office mandate. 

Yesterday’s announcement to send all workers into the office four days a week by July shows a clear disregard of the protected bargaining rights of workers. 

Employers cannot change the conditions of work while their workers are in bargaining. These conditions of work include the ability for workers to work remotely. Negotiations are currently underway for the majority of federal public service workers who received this news yesterday, many who are negotiating for language on remote work.  

Changing the Direction on prescribed presence in the workplace in the middle of ongoing negotiations is clear grounds for legal action.  

Today, we moved forward with this through the filing of an unfair labour practice complaint against the government. We filed a freeze complaint: an action that can be taken when an employer unilaterally changes terms and conditions of work while the parties are in bargaining.  

The timing of the government’s announcement is also suspect. This decision comes just two weeks after PSAC members at the Library of Parliament won a decision by the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board, which ruled that the employer cannot avoid negotiating key telework provisions into the collective agreement.   

We have been fighting for remote work protections for years. We negotiated an agreement on remote work, and the government has repeatedly violated it. It’s clear that this employer, Prime Minister Carney's government, has no respect for the promises they've made to their workers.

Workers are serious about protecting their constitutionally protected bargaining rights. We’re fighting tooth-and-nail to protect them – at the Board, and by organizing across the country. 

No action is off the table.  

We will keep members informed as the proceedings progress.