Federal workers’ union encourage members to boycott downtown local business, Sutcliffe fires back

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the union representing federal employees, is asking their members to ‘buy nothing’, standing against downtown businesses as return-to-work protocols come into effect.

Beginning this week, federal employees are now required to work in the office for a minimum of 3 days per week in the federal government’s new hybrid work policy.

While members of Canada’s business community have been calling on the federal government to mandate in-office work, this is intended to help local businesses and revitalize Ottawa’s downtown core.

In an Instagram post, the union is asking federal employees to ‘pack their own lunches,’ and buy from small local businesses, in efforts to minimize spending when working in-office.

“Our members cannot be responsible for revitalizing the downtown core,” wrote PSAC.

According to the union, working conditions should not based on politicians satisfying “commercial interests.”

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Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe expressed his dissatisfaction in a post on X, highlighting the suffering local businesses have faced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mayor Sutcliffe also voiced his disappointment in the PSAC targeting small businesses, as their dispute with the federal government persists.

“Downtown businesses are not responsible for decisions about back to work…They’ve suffered significantly as a result of the pandemic – let’s keep them out of the line of fire”.

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe

Ottawa’s Board of Trade (OBOT) also reacted in a post on X, stating the value of maintaining a vibrant downtown core.

“Our public servants are also committed residents who know that supporting our family, friends and neighbours who work at or own local businesses is what makes Ottawa so great!” wrote OBOT on X.

OBOT is committed to a vibrant downtown for all. The PSAC's Buy Nothing Campaign is disappointing. But our public servants are also committed residents who know that supporting our family, friends and neighbours who work at or own local businesses is what makes Ottawa so great!

— Ottawa Board of Trade (@ottawabot) September 11, 2024

This past Monday, PSAC, the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) and other federal unions took to the streets in protest — on the first day new hybrid work protocols came into effect.

“PSAC united with members of other unions to contest the government’s policy and fight for a fair approach to telework that puts workers first,” wrote the union on their website.