Alberta government workers returning to office as union plans brown-bag protest

About 9,000 unionized Alberta government employees are set to return to full-time, in-office work this weekend, and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees plans a brown-bag desk protest to object to the cancellation of the hybrid work policy.

About 9,000 unionized Alberta government employees are ordered to return to full-time, in-office work starting this weekend. The move follows the provincial government's October decision to cancel a hybrid work policy that had allowed two remote days per week. The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees plans a brown-bag desk protest to express opposition and solidarity. Officials say the return is intended to strengthen collaboration, accountability and service delivery. Key facts: - About 9,000 unionized provincial employees are being ordered back to full-time, in-office work. - The union plans a brown-bag desk protest; members will place packed lunches and notes to make their concern visible. - The hybrid policy was cancelled in October; it previously allowed two remote days out of five. - More than 725 grievances have been filed after hybrid work requests were rejected, according to the union. - The government says roughly 99 per cent of employees already have assigned permanent workspaces and that exceptions can be made for medical reasons. Summary: The return to full-time in-office work takes effect this weekend and has led to a union-organized brown-bag protest and multiple grievances. Undetermined at this time.