‘Summer of discontent’ coming over public service in-office order: unions

Canada’s largest public service unions are threatening a 'summer of discontent' after Ottawa mandated that federal civil servants return to the office three days a week.

Canada’s largest public service unions are threatening a “summer of discontent” after Ottawa mandated that federal civil servants return to the office three days a week.

“The Trudeau Liberal government better prepare itself,” Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) president Chris Aylward warned at a news conference in Ottawa Wednesday.

The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, which is effectively a central nerve agency for federal departments, updated its policy last week requiring employees work from the office three days a week, instead of two, starting Sept. 9.

The unions – which represent 260,000 workers – call the decision “purely political” and have launched a series of legal complaints.

“Forcing hundreds of thousands of workers to needlessly now spend more money on transportation, childcare and other expenses is a move in the wrong direction,” Aylward said. “Workers feel betrayed, and we will be using every recourse we have available to fight.”

PSAC and other unions, sent a letter to the New Democrats urging the party reconsider its “stance” over the NDP’s agreement with the Liberals.

The New Democrats are propping up the federal government through a supply and confidence deal.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh would not answer whether he’s prepared to back out of the agreement, which would effectively trigger an election.