Karen De Francesco – Grievance Officer
Erin Collins and Aaron Spires – Arbitration Advocates
VPDC – $12,000 Award
Sisters and Brothers,
It’s finally over, after six (6) long years the VPDC suspension grievances have now been resolved.
Arbitrator Vince Ready met with the parties at a hearing held on September 25, 2014, to render a decision on these grievances. As many of you may know, on November 12, 2008, ninety-three (93) members of the VPDC received five (5) day suspensions for what the Corporation alleged was their participation in an unlawful work disruption. At the time, most were reduced to a (1) one day served suspension.
On the day in question these members were justifiably demanding that management meet with them to hear their concerns about health & safety issues at the VPDC that had been ongoing without resolution for a long period of time.
The Union was successful in arguing that many of those members would have been on their regularly scheduled pre-shift meeting in the south end lunch room. Others, having heard there was a meeting in the lunch room, attended it either on their own accord or upon being directed to do so.
At the hearing the Union was able to successfully argue these differences, and as a result the Arbitrator ordered that the Corporation pay thirty-four (34) members for the eight (8) hours they lost. He also ordered that the other fifty-eight (58) members, who attended the meeting that was not in their usual (scheduled) location, receive four (4) hours pay. Sister Anju Parmar will receive sixteen (16) hours pay.
The award also requires that the Corporation remove all letters of discipline that were placed on the personal files of the affected members as a result of this incident.
It must be noted that these grievances should have been dealt with years ago. They were originally scheduled for a hearing in August 2010 in front of Arbitrator Robert Blasina. However, this hearing date was adjourned and shortly thereafter Arbitrator Blasina retired.
The grievances subsequently sat unattended. After a year and a half of arguing with the Corporation to get these files heard I am glad we’ve finally had the opportunity to have them put in front of Arbitrator Ready.
We were able to achieve a significant victory for our members in the form of what will amount to approximately a $12,000 payment divided amongst the members as stated above.
The Vancouver Local office would like to thank everyone for their patience.; We understand that this award was a long time coming.
In Solidarity,
Karen De Francesco
Grievance Officer
ck/CUPE-3338