Brown regrets mis-tweet
Charlottetown mayor upsets federal government employees, union
Charlottetown Mayor Philip Brown was on the social media hot seat last week.
Brown has been urging Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay to reopen federal government offices in downtown Charlottetown.
Last Monday, Brown tweeted a picture of him and MacAulay talking, writing that “I urged him to bring federal employees back to work as soon as it is safe to do so’’.
The tweet did not go over well with federal employees or the Public
Service Alliance of Canada. People on Twitter accused the mayor of suggesting federal employees haven’t been working since physical distancing rules were put in place in mid-March.
“We are working and have been since been since the beginning of COVID. Just at home!’’ said @leah_ omunro.
“Public sector workers ARE working and that includes the staff at VAC,’’ wrote @ PSACAtlantic. “Did you remind @L_MacAulay that this weeks is national public service week? Some of these workers have been without a contract for more than four years. How about urging the govt. to go back to the bargaining table?’’
Brown responded to the union, saying that he fully supports urging government going back to the table.
@ScottCFerrisPEI jumped into the discussion, saying “Mayor you are barking up the wrong tree. Until Dr. Tam (Canada’s chief public health officer) says it’s safe few federal public servants will be going back to their offices. And only after Public Works and Government Services Canada has retrofitted the offices for COVID requirements. And just to be clear they are working’’.
@JDanAiken tweeted, “As president of the #PEI area council of the @PSACAtlantic I am disappointed by Mayor Brown’s statement. Federal public servants ARE working and doing excellent work. Health and safety is paramount. PSAC members continue to deliver for Canadians during the pandemic.’’
Finally, @FeehanCheryl tweeted, “Why in the middle of a pandemic, when people are being asked to work from home if possible, would you say this? Irresponsibe. Can’t believe how inappropriate this is.’’
In an interview a few days later, Brown said he regrets that his original tweet gave the wrong impression.
“It should have read ‘getting them back to their workplaces’; I know they’re working,’’ the mayor said, adding that he is pushing as hard as he is because businesses in downtown Charlottetown are struggling.