Candu Energy workers' union alleges staff were ordered back to office on one day's notice amid labour dispute

Financial Post, June 7, 2022. A union representing workers at SNC-Lavalin subsidiary Candu Energy Inc. said it plans to take legal action against the company after hundreds of employees currently working from home were given a business day’s notice to return to the office full-time, allegedly in response to an ongoing labour dispute.

The Society of Professional Engineers and Associates said that while about 60 employees picketed, hundreds of others attempted to return to “an unprepared” work site in Mississauga, Ont., on Monday morning.

The union, which represents engineers, scientists, technical and administrative staff working for Candu in Mississauga, began its rotating strike at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station on May 29.

In an interview, union representatives alleged the company presented an offer to resolve the labour dispute on Thursday morning, then “did a complete about-face” when it gave the return-to-office notice hours later.

The company’s offer to settle the dispute included details on return-to-work and work-from-home, the union said, adding that the parties already agreed a return to the office would not come until Sept. 12.

The union has yet to sign off on the proposal.

"The company is using employees as a bargaining chip"

DENISE COOMBS

“The company is using employees as a bargaining chip,” the union’s staff representative, Denise Coombs, said during the interview, calling it a “shameful move” by parent company SNC-Lavalin.

In an email statement, SNC-Lavalin said it has always been Candu Energy’s intent to bring all employees back to the workplace at the appropriate time.

“The company has been clear with employees about that intent and has been encouraging employees to return to the workplace for several months,” it said.

The union said it intends to take legal action against the employer this week, alleging bad-faith bargaining.

“The message was clear: Accept this offer or we impose a mandatory, full-time return to the office with one business day’s notice,” Coombs said.

"The message was clear: Accept this offer or we impose a mandatory, full-time return to the office with one business day's notice"

DENISE COOMBS

In a company announcement dated Thursday, June 2, obtained by the Financial Post, SNC-Lavalin executive vice-president Bill Fox, who is also the CEO of Candu, said the mandatory return to work on Monday followed changes in provincial restrictions.

“People are becoming more accustomed to being together in indoor spaces and it is time to return to the physical workplace,” Fox wrote.

Fox said anyone who “feels a bit uncomfortable” from a health and safety standpoint is welcome to wear a mask “if you would feel more comfortable.”

The first day back to the office, however, did not go as planned. Employees said the worksite was “obviously unprepared,” covered with dust, short dozens of desks and had non-functioning washrooms.

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“Everybody’s upset. This was not really well thought out,” said an employee who has been working with the company for 24 years.

The employee said those on the third floor had to make their way to the second floor to use the washroom and other facilities, such as printers, because theirs weren’t working.

They added that as a result, some recalled employees left the office and returned to working from home on Monday.

Coombs said employee “stress levels are through the roof,” with some left scrambling to make child-care arrangements within the short timeframe.

“Others have medical issues and are afraid of COVID exposure upon returning to packed office spaces,” Coombs said.

The workers also allege that they are now required to provide a doctor’s note to receive any sick pay.

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