Federal offices to stay open for Islander Day

A new February holiday for P.E.I. is causing confusion and concern for federal government employees.

'Child care is the biggest one.' — Mary MacNeil, PSAC

The first Islander Day, a new provincial holiday announced in last April's throne speech, will be Feb. 9.

Schools will close and provincial employees will get the day off, but officials with the Public Service Alliance of Canada say it appears federal employees on P.E.I. will have to choose between the February holiday and the one they already receive in August.

"If you're a federal employee and you have child care and children in school, it is definitely going to be a problem," PSAC spokeswoman Mary MacNeil told CBC News Thursday.

"You'll have some federal employees downtown with a lot of the restaurants that won't be open, so it could make a difference in that way. But child care is the biggest one."

MacNeil said the union is looking for clarification, and that the policy may vary from department to department.

The issue will be discussed during the next round of contract negotiations, she said.