N.S. government union critical of back-to-office mandate

The Nova Scotia government is ordering all provincial employees back to the office by April 20.

The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU) is criticizing the provincial government’s move to terminate all remote work arrangements by April, which means many workers will have to report to an office in person.

In a memo to staff, Deputy Labour Minister Ryan Grant said bargaining unit employees will be expected to be in the office for the full work week by April 20. Grant noted excluded and non-bargaining unit employees returned to the office in the fall of 2024.

“This change reflects our continued focus on collaboration, service excellence, and strong connections across teams, while supporting consistency across the civil service,” the memo reads.

The NSGEU said members will now incur extra travel time and gas and parking costs.

“Parking and traffic in the downtown core is already at a crisis level and this will only increase that chaos, and for what savings?” the union said in a news release. “The government has offered no evidence or statistics to suggest this will make for a more effective or efficient workplace.

“The union understands the negative impact this will have on thousands of members and their families and we are ready to stand up against this government and advocate on your behalf against this arbitrary and disruptive decision.”

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