Hundreds of pest reports in federal buildings raise health and safety concerns, say unions

Public service unions say reports of pests in federal buildings across the National Capital Region reflect ongoing problems with workplace conditions, as federal employees face increased pressure to return to offices.

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) told CBC News that between April 1 and Nov. 24, there were 549 confirmed reports of pests in 93 Crown-owned buildings in Ottawa-Gatineau.

These pests include, but aren’t limited to, ants, bats, bedbugs, bees/wasps, birds, mice/rodents, and various small insects.

Sean O’Reilly, president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), said the figures match what his union is hearing from members.

“Five hundred reports in eight months, that’s not a rounding error. That’s a real problem with federal workplaces,” O’Reilly said.

He said members regularly contact representatives about office conditions, and the union feels “the employer isn’t doing enough to address some of these concerns.”

O’Reilly said members have reported dead mice in kitchenettes and bedbugs in offices, with some areas closed temporarily for fumigation to deal with infestations.

Those conditions, O’Reilly said, affect workers’ ability to do their jobs.

“When they go into an office that is substandard and potentially unsafe, it definitely is affecting their productivity and their ability to serve Canadians,” O’Reilly said.

PSPC said pests are very common in commercial real estate and that these reports are isolated incidents and “do not constitute an outbreak/infestation.”

The agency, which supports federal departments and agencies in their daily operations, stated it takes reports of pests very seriously. It said pest management programs are incorporated into building operations and reports are investigated promptly.

Health and safety concerns

Alex Silas, national executive vice-president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), said his union is hearing similar complaints.

“Unfortunately, that’s the reality in federal office buildings here in the National Capital Region,” said Silas, adding that the same goes for federal buildings across the country.

He said pest issues in federal buildings are not new.

“‘I found mouse droppings on my desk. That’s gross.’ That’s what we’re hearing from a lot of members,” Silas said. “Nobody deserves to work in an environment where they’re worried about bringing bed bugs back home.”

Silas said the problem raises concerns as the federal government continues to push for more in-office work.

“It is not reasonable to expect a worker to return to an office that is filled with pests,” he said.

He also pointed to broader issues with federal office infrastructure in the region.

“Roughly 25 per cent or more of federal office worksites in Ottawa and Gatineau are in need of some major renovations in order to be usable as workplaces,” Silas said.

Both unions say workers should raise future pest concerns through the workplace health and safety processes.

Article source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/hundreds-of-pest-reports-in-federal-buildings-raise-health-and-safety-concerns-say-unions-9.7026172?cmp=rss