PSAC changes message following backlash for asking federal workers to ‘buy nothing’

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the largest union in the Canadian federal public sector, has taken down yesterday’s social media post asking members to ‘buy nothing’ — taking a stand against downtown businesses as return-to-work protocols came 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.

Wednesday’s social media post received backlash, suggesting federal employees boycott downtown businesses as a response to the return-to-office mandate.

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Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe expressed his dissatisfaction in a post on social media, highlighting the suffering local businesses have faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also voiced his disappointment in the PSAC targeting small businesses.

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.

In a new Instagram post on Thursday, PSAC is now calling on members to ‘buy local’ and support neighbourhood businesses.

The social media post also recognized that many members don’t have the financial means to ‘buy local’, attributing this to the added cost of commuting three days per week and childcare.

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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.

But PSAC’s stance has remained unchanged — union members cannot be responsible for revitalizing the downtown core, said the union.

“The burden to revitalize the downtown core cannot be placed on federal public service workers,” wrote PSAC on Instagram.

Ruth Lau MacDonald, PSAC’s Regional Executive Vice President for the National Capital Region told CityNews in an email that the union is encouraging members to support small businesses, in areas where they work or live.

MacDonald also recognized that many federal workers do not have the financial means to do so, with the return-to-work mandate increasing the costs of commuting and childcare.

“What money they had left is being spent on additional childcare and commuting,” she noted.

“Our intention has never been to pit federal workers against small downtown businesses. We recognize the major challenges small business owners have faced since the pandemic, and we share the desire for thriving communities, in Ottawa’s downtown core and across the region.”

Ruth Lau MacDonald, PSAC’s Regional Executive Vice President for the National Capital Region

The vice president is calling on the federal government to collaborate with the City of Ottawa and the business community to ‘reimagine our city centres’ without putting the weight on federal workers.

According to PSAC, placing the financial burden on federal public servants is not a ‘viable long-term solution.’

Additionally, older federal buildings could be transitioned into affordable housing and multi-use spaces that incorporate both residential and commercial needs, noted MacDonald.

In turn, this could improve public transit and transform the Nation’s Capital into a more livable city for all, she explained.

“We will continue to work with the federal government and community partners on a vision for Ottawa that reflects the evolving needs of residents and workers alike,” said MacDonald.