Ontario Public Sector Workers Rally Against Return-to-Office Mandate
Unions representing public sector workers in Ontario have organized a rally outside Queen’s Park to voice their opposition to the province’s mandate for employees to return to the office full-time.
The decision, announced in August, requires workers to be in-office five days a week by January 5, 2026, moving away from remote and hybrid work setups. AMAPCEO, a labor union, has gathered over 13,000 signatures on a petition urging the government to reconsider its return-to-work policy.
A spokesperson for Treasury Board Minister Caroline Mulroney stated that during negotiations, AMAPCEO was informed of the employer’s discretion regarding in-office requirements and that the transition was communicated in advance to facilitate a smooth shift. The statement emphasized the underutilization of office spaces under the previous three-day in-workplace policy as a reason for the change.
The union argues in its petition that remote work provides a better work-life balance, eases traffic congestion, and saves taxpayers’ money. However, Premier Doug Ford has expressed his belief in the productivity benefits of in-person work and highlighted the impact on downtown businesses due to reduced foot traffic.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, government employees shifted to remote work, with more than half already working full-time in-office.
Keyphrase: Ontario public sector workers rally