Councillor Bob Gale is the minority opinion in having regional government employees back to the office
A Niagara Regional councillor was the only vote during a committee meeting to have all government workers return to the office, instead of some working part time from home.
Bob Gale was against a report leaning toward maintaining a hybrid system, for workers that are eligible.
He stands with the provincial government, which is encouraging municipalities to make the change. "We should be following the province's lead on this, I don't think it's fair for the workers who are showing up for work. I understand the reasons why this was brought on with COVID, but we're not a private business, and people should be coming back to the office. I know we have to be compassionate at times, on an individual basis."
He says he'll be bringing this up again during the regular council meeting next week.
Councillor and Mayor Wayne Redekop said Niagara's growth puts pressure on workplaces. "In the Town of Fort Erie's case, we're at the bottom of the QEW, we're furthest away from the most talented individuals, so part of the time, some of the time, we have to consider allowing employees to work from home."
Ontario government workers protested today outside Queen's Park against the government's plan to have everyone back to work, fulltime, in January.
They say hybrid work is better for work/life balance and saves taxpayer money, while Premier Doug Ford says in-person brings increased productivity, and downtown businesses are suffering due to lack of people walking around.
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