Transparency needed on working conditions for federal employees amid pandemic

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on a near-daily basis offers briefings on the COVID-19 pandemic and unveils new spending measures. But what about some basic data on the health and welfare of federal employees who work for him? I asked the Treasury Board for specifics. In a May 8 email, their spokesperson Martin Potvin said there are 341 confirmed reported viral infections in the federal public service and 31 work refusals. The reported COVID-19 cases were broken down by region, but not by agency, and seem low. The numbers provided date back to April 30, and more than 10days later, are still the same numbers posted on its website. The majority of COVID cases among public servants were found in the National Capital Region 62; 47 in the rest of Ontario, and 152 in the rest of Quebec. British Columbia had 30 cases, while Alberta had 29 cases. No information was available on whether a cluster of cases occurred at one location or in one agency. The information provided also did not indicate the health status of those who contracted the virus. For example, how many of those had been hospitalized or whether there have been any fatalities. It also didn’t address whether those 31 work refusals were accepted as legitimate by labour inspectors. More broadly, The Toronto Star on April 27 had reported that some workers in Ontario have been coming forward about unsafe work conditions and feared reprisals. In its report, The Star indicated that, in Ontario, more than 200 filings were rejected by provincial labour inspectors. Inspectors can still order improved working conditions after complaints are filed even if complaints are not considered work violations. The Globe and Mail reported on May 11 that the union representing federal food inspectors was concerned that reassigned, or new inspectors could be denied the right to refuse work under hazardous work conditions by their employer, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Fabian Murphy, the national president of the Agriculture Union, pointed that trainees have to closely shadow their colleagues, potentially placing their health at risk. In a May 11 email response, Public Services and Procurement Canada spokesperson Michèle LaRose said they will be “increasing the distance between offices and work stations or dispersed employees in work areas” at federal office buildings when workers return, while “ensuring that workplaces are cleaned frequently, and that access to hand washing areas and hand sanitizer dispensers are available.” The most recent Treasury Board post on May 8 to employees on the subject only talks vaguely about “integrated practical guidance … to protect the health, safety and wellness of employees that could be adapted by Deputy Heads” after consultations with bargaining agents. The Public Service Alliance of Canada offered the following general statement on May 11 from its national president, Chris Aylward: “Federal employee unions are notified every week about the number of federal public service workers that have been infected with COVID-19, as well as those who have had to refuse dangerous work.” “Considering there are over 300,000 employees in the public service, the current numbers aren't alarming. We are, however, concerned about maintaining the safety of our members as return to work plans begin to be developed and provinces begin to relax physical isolation rules. The government is working on a return to work plan that it will soon share with the PSAC and other unions for input and direction. Our top priority is to ensure the safety of federal public service workers and all Canadians.” PSAC, however, did not offer specifics on whether any of their members have contracted the virus. A request for figures from the Treasury Board also yielded no figures on the number of federal employees who are working from home or on site as critical service personnel. Treasury Board noted that some 3,000 Canada Revenue Agency employees have been reassigned as critical to become temporary call centre agents to respond to inquiries regarding the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit program. Global Affairs Canada has reassigned some of its employees- no figures provided, to perform critical services. Federal employees will still need to know more specifics, including what measures being taken to protect those working in public-facing jobs and in critical services, and improvements they can expect in their workplaces once those working at home go back to work. Just how well management and participating unions will do at protecting employees' health and safety will be a new dynamic in the federal workplace. The public, too, will want to know if public services will be maintained and enhanced in changing times while offering better protection for those providing services. Ken Rubin is an investigative researcher and is reachable at kenrubin.ca. The Hill Times