Union representing federal employees apologizes after “boycott campaign”

Taylor Clark

The Public Service Alliance of Canada, the union representing federal employees, is backtracking after its National Capital Region chapter urged its members to “buy nothing” downtown on in-office days. 

As of September 9, federal public servants have been mandated to work in the office for a minimum of three days per week, or four for executives, in accordance with the federal government’s new hybrid work policy.

Since the announcement of the return-to-work protocols in May, the labour union has challenged the cookie-cutter approach, deeming telework the best solution.

“Remote work has transformed the way we work. The Government of Canada has an opportunity to shape the future of work in ways that benefit not only workers but our communities,” read the labour union website. 

Two days into the mandate, the chapter posted to Instagram encouraging its members to limit spending by packing their own lunches and buying from small local businesses.

“The needs of the downtown core shouldn’t fall on the back of workers and the federal public service,” wrote the union. “Our working conditions shouldn’t be leveraged by politicians to appease commercial interests.”

Concerned with what it refers to as a “boycott campaign”, the Gatineau Chamber of Commerce issued a press release, stating the downtown merchants were not responsible for return-to-work decisions and should not be targeted.

“Civil servants certainly play an important role in our region, but they are not the only option for ensuring the economic and social vitality of our downtown core. We have made this mistake in the past and it is crucial not to repeat it,” wrote the general manager of the Gatineau Chamber of Commerce Etienne Fredette.

The chamber invited constructive dialogue and common solutions to support a sustainable and diversified recovery of the downtown core. “It is imperative to build a resilient economy, capable of adapting to changes while meeting the needs of the community,” wrote Fredette.

The union’s post was removed the following day and replaced by a statement from the regional executive vice president Ruth Lau MacDonald, clarifying the chapter was not calling for a boycott of downtown businesses.

“After speaking to local business leaders and our members, I acknowledge that this approach was misguided, and our intention has never been to pit federal workers against small downtown businesses,” wrote Lau MacDonald.

The union recognized the challenges small business owners downtown faced with the COVID-19 pandemic and apologized for the confusion.

“At the same time, it’s important to remember that remote work has allowed small businesses outside the downtown core to thrive by giving workers the opportunity to support businesses in the neighbourhoods where they live and raise their families.”

Lau MacDonald argued that these businesses will also suffer as public service workers return to the downtown core. “We’re asking for the federal government to work together with municipalities and the business community to revitalize our city centres – without putting the burden on the federal workers.”

Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette agreed that bringing our downtown core into a new age could not be placed on the shoulders of public servants.

“That’s why we’re moving forward on supporting commerce to really have an attractive offer in the downtown area, not just during office hours but so that people want to come on weekends, evenings, to enjoy the cultural offer of restaurants and shops,” said Marquis-Bissonnette.