On December 5, members of USJE joined a rally organized by the PSAC Ottawa Area Council, to denounce the Treasury Board’s Return to Office Mandate. The rally took place at 90 Elgin Street, in Ottawa, in front of the Treasury Board’s main office.
USJE member Gord Marshall, who is part of the Ottawa Regional Council, alongside USJE Regional Vice Presidents Sonia O’Brien-Colterman and JP Surette were present to support the rally.
The rally had three keynote speakers which included Ruth Lau-McDonald (PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President for the National Capital Region), Nathan Pier (National President of the Canadian Association of Professional Employee) and David Neufeld, National President for the Union of Safety and Justice Employees.
President Neufeld gave an impassioned speech about the regressive approach imposed by the Government of Canada towards hybrid work—which dictates that all federal public employees must now be onsite a minimal of 3 days a week.
President Neufeld highlighted once again that this new direction was undertaken with no consultation with the unions and no regard for how this policy will affect federal public service employees across this country. It also undermines the progress made towards a more modern, flexible, dynamic and inclusive public service.
President Neufeld emphasized that throughout the pandemic, federal public service employees learned how to do their work differently and found ways to become more productive.
Consequently, hybrid work has provided greater flexibility and a better work/life balance for employees which improves overall productivity and personal well-being.
He also noted that this current government talks a big game when it comes to the support of mental health initiatives for its employees, yet blatantly denies the benefits of hybrid work by forcing all federal employees to be on site minimally 3 days a week.
In fact, we see several departments taking this mandate even further and demanding that all its employees MUST be on site 5 days a week. This includes the Correctional Service of Canada who have completely removed the option of hybrid work for many workers with no consideration on the impacts of their employees’ mental well-being and commitment to productivity.
President Neufeld reiterated that the Treasury Board’s focus on a command-and-control approach takes away from the technological innovations already in place. It ignores many of the economic and environmental benefits that have already been realized when allowing for greater flexibility where and when it is possible.
Since 2022, the PSAC and all of its components have strongly opposed the Treasury Board’s uniform approach to mandating employees’ presence in the workplace. It will have adverse impacts not just for our members but for the Canadians who depend on the services we provide as dedicated public service employees.
USJE is working closely with PSAC, and other federal public service unions (including CAPE and PIPSC) to continue to resist the mandate.
USJE will continue to stand up for our members, every day, who worked so hard during the unprecedented times of the pandemic, and who continue to show up every day as dedicated professionals and public service employees.