November 17, 2003
Dec. 12 is deadline for power shortage grievances
OPSEU members in the OPS who believe they were incorrectly paid or credited during the provincial power shortage in August have until Dec. 12 to file a grievance. The Grievance Settlement Board (GSB) set the date at a Nov. 7 hearing.
The “state of emergency” declared by then-Premier Ernie Eves on Aug. 14 had varying effects on OPS employees. Thousands of workers were told to stay home to conserve electricity. Thousands of others went to work to provide so-called “critical” services. Still others were on vacation during all or
part of the shortage.
In its order, the GSB stated that:
· The employer must pay all regular full-time and part-time classified employees for the days they were told not to report to work.
· Irregularly scheduled employees who were told to stay home must be paid for the average number of hours they worked prior to the power shortage.
· Workers on previously requested and approved vacation during the power shortage are deemed to have been on vacation (and therefore using vacation credits).
· Previously scheduled compressed work week credits and accrual remain unaffected.
· The union and the employer will meet to discuss individual grievances.
OPSEU members who have not yet filed a grievance, but want to, should do so as soon as possible. All grievances must be in to the OPSEU Grievance Department before Dec. 12, even if Step 2 meetings have not yet taken place. (NOTE: Step 2 meetings should still go ahead.) Grievances should be faxed to
Allison Kabayama at (416) 443-8618. If you have questions, contact Allison by phone at (416) 443-8888 ext. 682 or 1-800-268-7376 ext. 682, or by e-mail at akabayama@opseu.org .
To view the award, please visit http://www.opseu.org/ops/nov7award.pdf.
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Original authorized for distribution by Leah Casselman, president.
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