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The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) has changed its messaging around boycotting downtown businesses, now calling for members to simply “buy local” rather than “buy nothing” after its original call received backlash from the mayor of Ottawa.
In a social media post Wednesday, the union encouraged its members to “buy nothing,” arguing that “the needs of the downtown core shouldn’t fall on the backs of workers and the federal public service.”
“How workers spend their money on in-office days will send a clear message to politicians,” the post read, adding that members should pack a lunch, buy local as much as possible and promote their neighbourhood businesses.
The post soon received backlash from Ottawa mayor Mark Sutcliffe, who previously said the government’s update to its remote work policy would be better for downtown Ottawa and better for public transit. As of Monday, the federal government has required many public servants to work in office at least three days a week.
“I’m very disappointed to see PSAC targeting small businesses in their dispute with the federal government,” Sutcliffe said on social media. “Downtown businesses are not responsible for decisions about back to work.”
An updated social media post shared by PSAC on Wednesday shared a similar message with a new title.
Instead of “buy nothing,” the top of the post now reads “buy local” with the new wording placed on an illustration of tape.
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“Our intention has never been to pit federal workers against small downtown businesses,” said Ruth Lau MacDonald, PSAC’s regional executive vice president for the National Capital Region in an email. “We recognize the major challenges small business owners have faced since the pandemic, and we share the desire for thriving communities, in Ottawa’s downtown core and across the region.”
Rather than respond to the mayor, the union claimed its goal in changing the wording was apparently to clarify its message.
“The federal government has to work alongside the City of Ottawa and the business community to reimagine our city centres without putting the burden on federal workers,” Lau MacDonald said, adding that the union encourages members to support small businesses whether it is where they work or live, though recognizes that many don’t have the means to do so given the added cost of commuting and childcare. “There need to be long-term solutions that address the needs of residents, workers and business owners.”
Lau MacDonald said the union plans to continue to work with the federal government and community partners on “a vision for Ottawa that reflects the evolving needs of residents and workers alike.”
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