Ottawa, June 12, 2023 – Today is the first day of National Public Service Week, a time meant to “recognize the value of the services rendered by federal public service employees.” But recent data pulled from a survey of members of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) shows that the majority of these employees are not feeling valued – particularly when it comes to Return To Office (RTO) policies. 

“Six months into the implementation of a one-size-fits-all return to office order, our members report that the policy has undermined their productivity, increased their cost of living, forced them to waste time in traffic – and it hasn’t improved collaboration,” said PIPSC President Jennifer Carr. 

Seventy percent of survey respondents reported being dissatisfied with how RTO policies were implemented – citing issues like the commuting time and cost, work-life balance, and environmental impacts as top concerns. 

And contrary to the Treasury Board’s rationale behind the order, positive outcomes are hard to identify. Sixty-one percent of respondents said productivity has gotten worse, and most respondents said the impact on collaboration is at best neutral. 

Furthermore, 80% of meetings are still happening virtually. 

“Public service professionals have been ordered into an office to be part of a Zoom or Teams call they could have dialed into from home,” said Carr. “The proposed benefits of returning to the office are nowhere to be found.”

One key issue is that, in spite of having been issued a RTO directive, the majority of federal employees no longer have dedicated offices to return to – in fact, 65% of respondents are still sharing workstations. 

“At PIPSC we support the principle of “presence with purpose”: being at the office when justified by operational needs. We continue to advocate for what was promised: a hybrid-by-design approach that considers employees’ unique circumstances and job requirements,” said Carr. “It’s time for the government to work with us and develop a modern workplace that includes flexible work arrangements, properly equipped work spaces, and a high priority on health and safety.”

PIPSC represents over 72,000 public service professionals working for the federal government as well as some provincial departments and agencies. In May 2023, PIPSC conducted an online survey of more than 68,000 of its members working for Federal Departments or Agencies, to assess how the members feel after returning to the office. More than 17% responded to the survey.

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For more information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (mobile), jfillion@pipsc.ca

Ottawa, June 9, 2023 – On Monday June 12, to mark the National Public Service Week (NPSW), the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) will host a press conference at its national office in Ottawa.  

Sadly, even though NPSW should be a special moment in the year to “recognize the value of the services rendered by federal public service employees,” PIPSC will present results from a survey of members showing that the majority of respondents employees are not feeling valued – particularly when it comes to return to office (RTO) policies. 

WHAT: Press Conference Marking National Public Service Week 2023 – Survey Results

WHEN: Monday, June 12, 2023, on 10:30 AM

WHERE: PIPSC National Office, 250 Tremblay Road, Ottawa (Ontario)  

WHO: Jennifer Carr, President of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada

PIPSC represents over 72,000 public-sector professionals across the country, most of them employed by the federal government. Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter and on Instagram. 

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For more information, please contact: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (cell), jfillion@pipsc.ca

Note: Zoom link available upon request.

PIPSC President Jennifer Carr has released the following statement:

I am proud to see that union activism has moved Canada’s largest employer to offer a better deal to PSAC workers. The improvements made to this deal will benefit every worker in this country - public or private, unionized or unrepresented. 

The federal government tried to force PSAC to accept an offer that was not only bad for PSAC workers, but bad for workers everywhere. But PSAC workers fought back – for all of us. And they secured a better deal. 

For PIPSC members, the fight for a better deal continues. We will pursue our members’ priorities at our negotiation tables. I’m proud of the solidarity shown by PIPSC members marching alongside their PSAC colleagues on those historic picket lines. The same energy will carry us forward as we continue our negotiations in the months ahead. 

The PSAC strike at Canada Revenue Agency continues while the two sides negotiate. We continue to stand in solidarity with our Union of Taxation Employees colleagues until they have reached a fair deal. 

I also thank the Canadian public for their show of support to striking workers. Canadians defied the expectations of certain politicians and commentators, showing a strong level of support for public service workers’ demands - from fair wages to remote and flexible work options. The growing solidarity among workers from all sectors sends a strong message to all employers that Canada’s workers expect a fair deal that respects their contributions to our economy.

Ottawa, February 20, 2023 – Federal employees began their mandatory return to the office on January 16 . Since then, more than 1,100 public servants represented by the Professional Institute of the Public Service Canada (PIPSC) have reached out to their union looking for support as they navigate the challenges created by this “one-size fits all” government order.

The concerns raised by PIPSC members range from workplace safety, availability of office and basic equipment, network capacity, breach of work agreement, accommodation issues, before and after school child care availability, and more.

One major issue is that, in spite of having been issued a return-to-office order, many federal employees no longer have dedicated offices to return to. 

“As we feared, we are now living with the logistical nightmares created by this hastily-implemented policy. Many departments and agencies were wholly unprepared for the practical realities involved in this government order,” said PIPSC President Jennifer Carr. “As a result, some of our members are returning to buildings that are now doubling as construction sites. Others are having to bounce between various federal government co-working spaces, which often means staying up until midnight to secure a space close to home.”

These logistical problems are not only bad for morale, they are hindering federal employees’ abilities to keep the country’s most important institutions operating smoothly and productively. 

“The same people who built CERB from home are now wasting time every day setting up and taking down makeshift workstations in the cafeteria,” explained Carr. “Or they're trying to have crucial video meetings from buildings with unreliable Wi-Fi – often with team members on separate floors of the same building.” 

For workers who are parents, there is the additional challenge of suddenly needing before and after school care on a moment's notice – at a time when these types of programs are long-since booked solid. 

“Like all parents, I know the stress created by a last-minute childcare emergency,” added Carr. “Think of the panicked scrambling you have to do on a snow day – then imagine having to suddenly figure this out two to three days a week.”

It is time for the federal government to acknowledge that they made a mistake, sit down to consult with the people affected, and present a reasonable plan that works for employees while delivering the services Canadians rely on.

“We take no joy in having been right about what a mess this was going to be,” Carr concluded. “The good news is, it’s not too late to work together to build a better solution.” 

PIPSC represents over 72,000 public service professionals working for the federal government as well as some provincial departments and agencies. 

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For more information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (mobile), jfillion@pipsc.ca

Ottawa, February 7, 2023 – The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, on behalf of its Audit Financial and Scientific (AFS) Group members, has filed a bad faith bargaining complaint against the Canada Revenue Agency. The complaint concerns the Agency’s recent decision to impose a “one-size-fits-all” return to office edict rather than continue to negotiate telework at the bargaining table.

PIPSC members and the CRA have been in negotiations since October 2022, where telework has been established as a top priority for AFS members, and where PIPSC and the employer have both exchanged proposals on the issue. Yet at the January 17-19, 2023 bargaining meeting, the CRA said it no longer had any intention of including any telework language in the collective agreement.

“You cannot just remove a core issue from the table – which has been established as a top priority for members – and call it anything other than a bad faith maneuver,” said PIPSC President Jennifer Carr. “The CRA's about-face subverts what has already been accomplished at the table and delays or even prevents the conclusion of an agreement. Keep in mind this is the same government that promised a new era of collaboration with members of the public service – but has chosen again to shut the door on negotiating, in favour of imposing a wildly unpopular edict.”

The CRA expects all of its employees to return to the office for 2 days a week as opposed to continuing to telework on a mostly full time basis, as AFS members have been doing safely and productively since March 2020.

“Given our demonstrated dedication to Canadians, public service delivery, and our employer, it would be reasonable to assume that the CRA would be willing to recognize our rights to fair consideration in telework requests,” said AFS Group Bargaining Chair, Doug Mason.

The CRA’s edict mimics the Treasury Board's December directive – a “one-size-fits-all” approach to telework that PIPSC has opposed since it was announced.

“From the beginning, we’ve been clear that bulldozing through a directive like this in the middle of bargaining doesn’t bode well for good faith negotiations, and will cause more problems than it solves,” said Carr. “The proof is now in the pudding. We are looking to the government to stop barreling towards an unnecessary confrontation and bring this issue back to the table, where it belongs.”

“The pandemic forced governments to modernize labour practices, and these practices need to be embedded into employee contracts. It protects everyone. It’s just good labour practice.”

PIPSC represents over 70,000 members across Canada, and over 14,000 AFS members employed at the CRA.

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For more information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (mobile), jfillion@pipsc.ca

Ottawa, December 8, 2022 – The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada – a union representing over 70,000 federal and provincial public sector workers – has launched billboards in key locations to urge the Ford government to respect frontline workers and repeal Bill 124. Locations include Sylvia Jones’ riding – the Health Minister who has championed Bill 124 in the face of widespread public opposition and now, a court ruling that finds the law unconstitutional. 

The billboards went up in response to the November 29 ruling by the Ontario Superior Court striking down the legislation. The Court found that the Ford government’s bill capping wage and benefit increases for registered nurses, nurse practitioners, healthcare professionals and other public-sector workers at 1% was a “substantial infringement” on the collective bargaining rights guaranteed under the Charter of Rights.

“This is a decisive judgment from the Court”, said Jennifer Carr, President of PIPSC. “It represents a historic victory for public sector workers and reinforces that our rights to free and fair collective bargaining cannot simply be legislated away by governments that don’t want to negotiate or give their burned out frontline staff respectable wages.”

PIPSC, along with other unions and the Ontario Federation of Labour that together represent hundreds of thousands of members impacted by the unconstitutional law, are ramping up pressure on the Ford government in hopes of preventing them from appealing this landmark ruling.

“For too long, Premier Doug Ford and Health Minister Sylvia Jones have ignored the cries of overworked and underpaid healthcare professionals by bulldozing through Bill 124,” President Carr continued. “These billboards are a reminder that not only does the public stand behind frontline workers against this disrespectful, wage-slashing law – but now, so do the courts. Given the Court decision, the work frontline workers do to keep this province running, and the overwhelming support from Ontarians, the Ford government must forgo an appeal and repeal Bill 124. ”

PIPSC represents over 70,000 members across Canada. In Ontario, PIPSC represents hundreds of healthcare professionals working in cancer centres at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, the Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton, the Walker Family Cancer Centre in Niagara, the Windsor Regional Hospital and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. PIPSC also represents medical physicists throughout Ontario and IT professionals at the University of Ottawa that are impacted by Bill 124. 

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For more information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (mobile), jfillion@pipsc.ca

Ottawa, November 28, 2022 – In legislation introduced on November 24, the Blaine Higgs Conservative government is taking aim at public service workers and their rights to fair collective bargaining and to take job action. This bill enshrines unfair rules around job action notice, gives the government the ability to bring in non-unionized scab workers and more power to change the work schedules of essential workers.

“This legislation is a direct attack on public service workers,” said Jennifer Carr, President of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC). “These are the folks who have worked tirelessly to provide critical services to the people of New Brunswick, particularly over the last few years through the pandemic.”

This legislation comes just weeks after Ontario Conservative Premier Doug Ford pushed through and then quickly repealed controversial and constitutionally-questionable legislation in Ontario. Bill 28 attempted to erase the hard-won labour rights of CUPE education workers and to force them to accept an unfair deal.

“Conservative governments across the country are taking aim at the constitutional rights of workers, and they are starting with their employees in the public service. We know that any attack on one group of workers’ rights is a signal that more are coming,” said Carr. “We must stand up and speak up against this legislation, and push the government to abandon this anti-worker agenda.”

In New Brunswick, PIPSC represents Crown Prosecutors, Crown Counsel, Legal Aid Services employees, agrologists and agronomists, engineers, architects and land surveyors, as well as veterinarians and veterinary pathologists.  

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For more information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (mobile), jfillion@pipsc.ca

Eabametoong First Nation / Fort Hope, September 28, 2022 – Jennifer Carr, President of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, is currently making official visits to nursing stations in remote First Nations northern communities.

President Carr has undertaken this tour to shine a light on the crisis currently facing nurses in these communities, as well as the impact on those seeking care. 

“When the public thinks of federal public servants they likely picture an office worker in Ottawa,” said President Carr. “But over the last few days, I’ve seen and heard first-hand that hundreds of our members are trying to do exhausting life-saving work in truly perilous conditions.”

The travel these federal nurses take to these communities is long and arduous. And at the end of this journey, many nurses find themselves in places without consistent hot water or running water. Due to conditions like these, burnout rates are high. Several of these nursing stations are forced to operate without the nursing staff required to provide care.

“Many of us go to work every day knowing we won’t have what we need to offer our patients the best possible care,” said Lori Clace, CHN working in Gull Bay. "Even the most dedicated among us can reach their breaking point with these conditions, so understaffing is a chronic issue.”

It is not easy to find qualified candidates willing to accept the tough work, the distances and travel involved, the potential for accidents on the way to and from these communities, and the potential personal security issues that can occur.

“This crisis won’t be addressed until we see an investment in fully-funded, permanent public sector solutions,” added Carr. “I’m hoping the stories and images and perspectives we bring back with us will inspire the federal government to take real action to address this issue – and that doesn’t mean contracting out to private nurse employment agencies.”

“The conditions I have seen this week clearly demonstrate that Canada's colonial past has created a health care crisis for these communities,” said President Carr. “This week we mark the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation so we’d like to take this opportunity to remind the federal government of their treaty obligation to provide health care to Indigenous peoples.” 

Recommendation 18 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in part calls upon federal, provincial, territorial, and Aboriginal governments “to recognize and implement the health-care rights of Aboriginal people as identified in international law, constitutional law, and under the Treaties”.

Approximately 4,300 health care professionals in Canada are represented by PIPSC, including close to 500 nurses who provide treatment to isolated Indigenous communities across the nation.

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For more information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (mobile), jfillion@pipsc.ca

Note for media – Photos and broadcast-quality video of the visit will be available and can be provided to the media upon request via jfillion@pipsc.ca.

OTTAWA, September 23, 2022 – From September 26 to 29, 2022, the President of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), Jennifer Carr, will undertake official visits to nursing stations located in remote First Nations northern communities.

President Carr wants to see firsthand how the nursing stations are meeting the health-care needs of the communities while facing crisis-level staffing shortages. She hopes to learn from the nurses, represented by PIPSC, about the challenges they face in their practice.

“Nurses working in remote and isolated First Nations communities are some of the most resourceful, devoted and resilient health care professionals across Canada. They are unsung heroes,” says Jennifer Carr, President of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada. “In many First Nations remote and isolated communities, nursing shortages and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic are having exacerbated impacts on the health care delivery. I want to hear what we can do to improve the situation, to ensure First Nations communities and nurses have the support they need and the better health care.”

PIPSC represents approximately 4,300 health care workers across Canada in many professions that provide care in diverse settings, including close to 500 nurses at Indigenous Services Canada who serve remote Indigenous communities throughout the country.

Nursing stations provide a broad range of health care services to First Nation communities. Services provided at the nursing clinic include wound care, medication management, emergency services, and disease management.

What: Northern Nursing Stations Tour 

When: From September 26 to 29, 2022

Who: Jennifer Carr, PIPSC President

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For more information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (mobile), jfillion@pipsc.ca
Note for media – Photos and broadcast quality video of the visit will be available and can be provided to the media upon request via jfillion@pipsc.ca.