Public service unions promise ‘summer of discontent’
Public service unions say they’ll launch further legal challenges and grievances over new rules that federal employees must work from the office at least three days a week.
The unions are promising a “summer of discontent” over the policy, which was announced by the federal government earlier this month.
Public Service Alliance of Canada president Chris Aylward said Wednesday the NDP supports the unions and he expects the party to press the Liberals on the issue.
But he stopped short of calling for the NDP to pull its support for the minority government.
He said the NDP would be asking questions in the House of Commons “to get answers from the government as to why this decision was made without any consultation with any of the unions.”
Those comments did not go as far a letter sent by the unions to NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, dated the same day.
The letter calls for Singh to “take decisive action by utilizing the mechanisms of power in the Liberal-NDP confidence and supply agreement to hold them accountable.” The agreement is the mechanism through which the NDP supports the minority Liberals to keep them in power.
Asked about the apparent difference in messaging, a PSAC spokesperson said the focus is on having the NDP use that deal to pressure the government, “not on tearing up the agreement.”
Singh told reporters his party has “lots of tools” to put pressure on the Liberals.
Aylward made the comments at a press conference on Parliament Hill alongside representatives of other public service unions.
They didn’t specify what kind of actions they are planning. They did say they have either already filed legal challenges, such as unfair labour practice complaints and policy grievances, or are planning to do so.
Aylward said PSAC is considering making a separate application to the Federal Court.