Houston Puts End to Remote Work Arrangements

This article appears in the Winter/Spring edition of the Union Stand.

In February the Houston government suddenly issued a directive that put an end to all remote work arrangements and forces civil servants back to their offices effective April 20.

Remote work arrangements were fundamental to the province providing programs and services during the pandemic. People demonstrated they could do their jobs remotely and remain engaged and connected to their work teams.

In 2024 the government ended remote work for non-unionized employees and at the time the Minister of the Public Service Commission indicated that any further changes would be part of the bargaining process. But during the most recent round of bargaining for civil service, the employer refused to engage in any remote work language.

The new directive comes at a time when government is passing a budget with deficit of more than $1.2 billion – the largest deficit in the province’s history. Yet the government has not produced or referenced any data or analysis to show how this will save money or make government more efficient.

In fact, at a time when the downtown area is consistently jammed with traffic, it seems counterproductive and harmful to the environment to add another 2500 people to the daily rush. Additional parking costs, skyrocketing gas prices, and the need for childcare only serve to hurt people already struggling to make ends meet. Many people also live in rural communities where these good paying jobs help support the rural economy. This move puts these jobs at risk, as it leaves people asking, can I really afford to commute to work?

Within days of the government announcement the union was flooded with calls, emails and letters from members all around the province concerned about the impact this will have on them and their families. Many members have documented remote work arrangements or have medical requirements that make working remotely a necessary option.

In response, the union has filed a formal policy grievance with the province. The union will continue to reach out to impacted members. Every call, email and letter has been received and logged, but due to the overwhelming volume not every communication has received a formal response. As the grievance process continues the union will be in touch with individual members.