OTTAWA, September 9, 2024 – Unions representing more than 330,000 federal public service workers are demanding that the government reverse its three-day in-office mandate and return to a policy of remote work flexibility. Beginning today, federal employees are being ordered to work from ill-equipped and unsanitary office buildings three days a week, despite a lack of proper workspaces or a coherent policy across departments.
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) have been united in their opposition to the government’s misguided mandate since it was announced May 1.
Federal public service workers are holding protests across the country this week to contest the government’s policy and fight for a fair approach to remote work that puts workers and their families first.
Unions marked the beginning of the three-day mandate with a rally in front of the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada building in Ottawa, which has a large inter-union local organizing committee mobilizing workers against the mandate.
“In a direct attack on Canadian taxpayers and basic logic, the government has decided to forge ahead with this ludicrous plan to pressure employees back into cramped and unfit office space that nobody wants or needs to be in,” said CAPE President Nathan Prier. “Our members are clogging up roadways, buses and trains to go to disgusting offices that don’t have space for them to sit on video calls that could be done more effectively at home. This mandate is not only exacerbating existing problems – it is creating new ones.”
As the future of work evolves, remote work has become more than just a temporary solution — it’s a proven model that enhances productivity and the well-being of workers. Flexible remote work policies allow workers to balance their professional and personal responsibilities, while reducing their environmental impact and strengthening local communities.
“Telework isn’t just a trend, it’s the future of work and the next frontier of workers’ rights,” said PSAC National President Sharon DeSousa. “We’ve seen firsthand how remote work improves peoples’ lives and makes our public service more inclusive and responsive to the needs of Canadians. That’s why we’re committed to fighting for a future that puts workers first.”
“In an increasingly competitive job market, the public service needs to position itself as an equitable and innovative employer,” said PIPSC National President Jennifer Carr. “By implementing progressive work policies, we can attract the brightest minds from across Canada – regardless of their geographic location – and retain the exceptional talent we already have.”
Some departments had previously told their employees that they would not be able to implement the three-day in-office policy by today’s deadline, as they simply do not have the space to accommodate the influx of staff. Arbitrary enforcement of this unnecessary policy has resulted in confusion and resentment across the federal public sector.
Canada’s federal public service unions announced last week they will be launching a national campaign to reverse the government’s mandate and secure remote work rights in workers’ collective agreements. Remote work is the new standard. The flexibility to work remotely will be a requirement for the next generation of employees and is essential to ensure the public sector is modernized, adaptable and ready to overcome the challenges of the 21st century.
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Media contact:
Laura Gauthier
lgauthier@acep-cape.ca
613-261-6526
