PRESS RELEASE

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Association of Justice Counsel Files Policy Grievance in Response to Updated Workplace Directive

 

Ottawa, September 10th, 2024 – The Association of Justice Counsel (AJC), representing over 3,500 lawyers in the federal public service, has filed a policy grievance against the Government under the LP Collective Agreement and section 220 of the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act (FPSLRA). This grievance challenges the Treasury Board Secretariat’s (TBS) updated Direction on prescribed presence in the workplace, which requires federal public servants to be present in the office for a minimum of three days per week as of September 9, 2024.

 

This decision, which was made without meaningful consultation with the AJC or other bargaining agents, has significant implications for the working conditions of federal lawyers and raises concerns over the fairness, reasonableness, and good faith application of management rights.

 

The AJC grievance addresses the following non-exhaustive list of issues in relation to TBS’s Direction on prescribed presence in the workplace (“Direction”):

a. Systemic barriers and discrimination;

b. Unfair, unreasonable and bad faith application of management rights;

c. Improper collection and disclosure of sensitive personal information;

d. Failure to meaningfully consult on office space for lawyers;

e. Failure to take reasonable precautions to protect the health and safety of our members; and

f. Violation of the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector.

 

AJC Statement

“The Government’s new directive is not based on operational necessity but on political and external pressures. Our members have proven their ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, and this decision is costly, inefficient, arbitrary, and counterproductive,” said Gregory Harlow, President of the AJC.

“Our policy grievance reflects our commitment to protecting the rights of our members and ensuring that decisions affecting their work conditions are made in good faith, with fairness, and in full compliance with legal and contractual obligations.”

The AJC is prepared to take all necessary steps to ensure the well-being of its members and will continue to advocate for a purposeful presence approach, where physical attendance in the workplace is determined by the specific needs of the work and the team, rather than an arbitrary directive.

 

Contact Information

For more information or media inquiries, please contact:

Michele-Jamali Paquette
Director of Communications
Association of Justice Counsel
2725 Queensview Drive, #300
Ottawa, ON K2B 0A1
Office: 613-798-9900 ext 120
Toll Free: 866-218-3310

 

About the Association of Justice Counsel

The Association of Justice Counsel is the exclusive bargaining agent for approximately 3,500 lawyers employed by the government of Canada, who work for the Department of Justice, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, and provide in-house legal services to various federal agencies, tribunals and courts across the country. The AJC is committed to advocating for the rights and interests of its members.