On Thursday, May 9, CAPE members and other public sector employees working at Place du Portage III Tower A1 and A2 were notified of a potential asbestos exposure in their workplace. Impacted workers received an email shortly after midnight, informing them that the building would be closed that day, and encouraging them to book desk space elsewhere, or work remotely.
Many employees did not have access to this advisory until they arrived at Place du Portage only to find the building closed. This caused massive disruptions, as many were unable to find workspace elsewhere, or did not have available transportation to get home.
While CAPE acknowledges the government’s diligence in promptly securing the building until the hazard could be addressed, unsafe and unhygienic conditions have become commonplace in government office buildings. Many of these offices are old and their deteriorating conditions have left them in need of complete refurbishment. In addition to asbestos, some of the other common issues include bedbugs, pests, insects, mold, poor air and water quality, and Legionnaire’s disease.
Aging office buildings mean costly upgrades
The monitoring, prevention and control of these various risks is costing the Canadian public money that could be invested back into programs that make a difference in peoples’ lives. Instead of spending even more taxpayer dollars to rehabilitate aging offices, these buildings could be opened up for complete redevelopment and transformed into new and needed housing – as the government laid out in its most recent budget.
Every employee – whether in the public or private sector – has the right to work in a safe and healthy environment. And every employer has a responsibility to guarantee this. For many, the easiest and most cost-effective solution is to support more remote work options. Increasing public sector employees’ ability to telework not only frees up real estate that is desperately needed to address the housing crisis but ensures that public funds can be spent where they can make a difference for communities across the country.
Unsafe, unsanitary workplace? Document and report!
Any CAPE member who feels that their working conditions are unsafe, unhealthy or unsanitary should document it and contact their occupational health and safety (OHS) committee representative immediately.
If the workplace does not currently have an established OHS representative, of if it becomes necessary to further escalate these concerns, CAPE members should reach out to their labour relations officer for assistance.
CAPE continues to monitor this situation and will always avidly defend its members’ rights to work in a safe, healthy and productive environment.
