The union that represents about 3,000 government employees has filed a policy grievance over a back-to-work mandate implemented by the province.
It was in February when the decision was announced to end flexible work arrangements after five years and as of Monday, it went into effect.
In an interview with Acadia News, President of the NSGEU Sandra Mullens says, they heard from more than 1,000 members who had some sort of work from home accommodation.
“[We] are working with some of those members on a one-on-one basis, because they’re particular,” says Mullen. “They have perhaps a medical accommodation or a contract arrangement signed with the employer at the time.”
She says the government claims the mandate is about efficiency, collaboration and teamwork but she argues many have a modified schedule and are in meetings not in office.
“If they meet in office, it’s often a Team’s meeting or a Zoom meeting because their co-workers are not in the same room. So, nothing is going to change,” says Mullen. “In the concept of the old days where folks were all managed by one manager… we know in a lot of departments that management is regional as well.”
Mullens says they’ve also heard that bringing people back into the office stimulates the economy, but she points to the last two months.
“The price of gas has gone incredibly high. So, what money you may have had to spend on your lunch downtown, now you’re going to be putting in your gas tank,” adds Mullen.
The grievance was submitted a few weeks ago and it could take time before anything comes of it. For now, Mullen says, they are waiting to hear back on an arbitrator.
“We are expecting that they want to work through this quickly as they can,” says Mullen.
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