Ornge Local 505 achieves key gains with Memorandum of Settlement
December 7th, 2010
In October, OPSEU Local 505 stood up to a bad employer and
filed a complaint with the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) arguing
discrimination, intimidation and targeting of union activists at Ornge.
We are pleased to announce that the complaint has now been
withdrawn by the Union prior to a formal date with the OLRB and a Memorandum
of Settlement (MOS) has been reached resolving the issues of the initial
complaint. The members of Local 505 are hopeful this victory will lead to
improved communication and respectful labour relations at Ornge.
Included in the MOS were the following key items:
-
The local president will now be paid the entitled hours
for representing a member in a meeting as per the Collective Agreement.
-
The employer has agreed to post up to five new positions
to facilitate backfill and to alleviate denial of leave requests.
-
The employer acknowledges the legitimate need for union
leaves of absence, especially with relation to union educational
opportunities.
-
The parties have agreed to new protocol pertaining to
the extent of reasonable discussion/conduct of Union business during
work hours and related letters of discipline have been withdrawn.
-
Layoff notices have been rescinded, including notices to
two elected union officers, and the employer has agreed that any future
layoffs will follow proper seniority rules.
Local 505 expressed its thanks to OPSEU staff for assisting
in protecting the rights of members and recognized the efforts we make to
stand up against employers who attempt to discriminate against or intimidate
OPSEU’s local leaders.
Congratulations to Local 505 for standing up for your
rights.
Ornge is a private not-for-profit charitable organization
that primarily coordinates medical air transport and transfer of patients
between medical facilities. It has been in business under the name of Ornge
since 2005 but has been operating in various capacities since 1977.
