Bombshell twist in public servants’ open revolt against WFH decree by Chris Minns’ NSW government – as PSA union makes a stunning declaration

The public service union is in open revolt against the NSW Premier’s decree that public sector workers no longer work from home, defiantly telling its members ‘pre-Covid arrangements’ will ‘never return’. 

Chris Minns announced that work from home was coming to an end, for the majority of the state’s 430,000 public servants on Monday. 

In an email sent to its members on Monday, the Public Service Association (PSA) said it had been flooded with queries about the premier’s directive – and said they believed the workforce would ‘never’ go back to previous arrangements.

‘Your union believes there will always be flexibility in the workplace and we will never return to pre-COVID work arrangements,’ the email stated.

As proof of this the PSA said it had been in contact with a number of NSW government department secretaries.

‘They have informed us that many office locations cannot accommodate all staff working onsite and that present arrangements will not change,’ the email said. 

The union advised it had also been mobilising delegates to gather the concerns of members. 

‘The more information we have from our members to take to the Government, the better,’ it read, promising to relay any ‘further developments’ back to the membership.

Earlier Public Service ­Association general secretary Stewart Little confirmed the union would help members affected by the government’s new rule.

‘While acknowledging many of our members do not have the option to work from home, the PSA has always fought for flexible working arrangements,’ the union said in a statement.

‘This includes, where possible, working from home for those whose roles do not rely on them attending a specific site.

‘The PSA also understands that some worksites cannot physically accommodate all employees working onsite at any one time.

‘Any PSA member with issues regarding flexible working arrangements, including working from home, will receive support from their union.’

An email sent by the Public Service Association to its union members struck a defiant tone

Several public servants told Daily Mail Australia that work from home culture was deeply embedded in their workplaces, with some workers living far away from their place of employment, even interstate.

‘There is a guy in my department who lives in Noosa. He works remotely all week – I am looking forward to his return to the office tomorrow,’ one senior government worker sarcastically told Daily Mail Australia.

‘Another lives in Sydney and I’ve never seen her – can’t wait to meet her.’

A second anonymous government worker highlighted a lack of physical workspaces available to fit all employees currently working from home.

‘Although there should be a requirement to go to the office more, two or three days a week, our offices can’t manage the capacity of this amount of people coming in,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.

‘We have to book desks two weeks in advance at the moment because Tuesdays are so busy – and we can’t really dictate if teams should go in another day as this is dependent on work flexibility and family.’

The public service union is gathering the concerns of members to take to the government as it fights a blanket decision to end to working from home (stock image)

Some employees were promised a ‘hybrid’ workplace when they applied for their positions.

‘Our jobs were advertised as hybrid roles and we promote a hybrid workplace to help with flexibility and managing work life balance,’ the staff member added.

‘Going back into the office five days a week is unachievable for those who live two hours from the office.’