March 16,
2007
Correctional BU
members encouraged to participate in project to test new job
evaluation system
Members of OPSEU’s Correctional bargaining unit have a big
stake in how future job evaluation systems are developed and
implemented. It means having a direct hand in how a new job
classification system is put into place for the benefit of
all members.
For these reasons Corrections BU members are being asked to
participate in a joint OPSEU/employer exercise that is
working away on a new job evaluation system.
Participation in the Job Evaluation Project is easy. It
means becoming involved in a two-part exercise during work
hours. The first part is a three-hour questionnaire; the
second part is a three hour focus-group discussion.
“It’s in the interest of all Corrections members to have an
outstanding classification system,” said John Watson, an
OPSEU member on the joint committee. “But we need the best
information available and only our frontline membership is
able to provide us with this.”
Watson made two points clear: Participation in the job
evaluation exercise is not a test of anyone’s job. And it
will not affect how anyone’s job is rated in the final job
evaluation system.
“This is a test of our draft job evaluation system. We need
to gather facts to test the system to see what works and
what doesn’t work. Only then can we begin to fix a
hopelessly outdated classification system.”
Invitations to participate in the exercise are being
randomly distributed by e-mail. The questionnaires were
drafted by the joint committee and will be distributed by
managers. Watson strongly encouraged Corrections members to
participate if they are contacted. Members get three hours
“paid duty” to complete the questionnaire.
Questions about the job evaluation exercise can be sent to:
opsjep@opseusupport.com
The focus group part of the exercise – which will also be
conducted on work time – will be held in six cities this
spring. The cities are: London, Hamilton, Peterborough,
Toronto, Orillia, and Thunder Bay.
The Job Evaluation Project grew out of Appendix 34 of the
OPSEU collective agreement in the OPS in which the union and
the employer agreed to fix an outdated and dysfunctional
classification system.
For a
full explanation of the project please read the
Question-and-Answer document at:
http://www.opseu.org/ops/frontlines/frontlinesfeb142006attach.htm
OPSEU scores
another grievance victory in protecting bargaining unit work
OPSEU and the Ministry of the Attorney General have reached
a grievance settlement that paves the way for 30 new
courthouse positions to join the union.
The settlement affects positions currently occupied by the
Commissionaires of Canada Corps working at three busy
downtown Toronto locations, including Superior Courthouses
at 361 and 393 University Avenue, and Osgoode Hall.
In the agreement, the ministry acknowledged that the work
done by the Commissionaires is OPSEU bargaining unit work.
The new full-time permanent classified positions will be
posted and filled in accordance with the provisions of the
collective agreement.
Commissionaires were, historically, recruited from the ranks
of retired military personnel. They could be found staffing
security and information desks in the foyers of most
provincial courthouses – work that was ordinarily performed
by bargaining unit employees. Over time they began to assume
more and more clerical duties, including record-keeping,
mailroom and supply work, and other jobs such as ushering
and courier services. They were gradually doing the work
normally performed by office administration employees
covered by OPSEU.
“This is a very important victory for OPSEU and our members
in the courts,” says Paul Myers, OPSEU representative on the
MAG Ministry Enforcement and Renewal Committee (MERC). “It
shows that the union is protecting the bargaining unit in
order to provide good pay, benefits and pensions.”
Recruitment for permanent positions within the bargaining
unit must begin no later than June 1, under the agreement.
Every time an agency or fee for service employee is
suspected of performing bargaining unit work the details
should be reported to Laurie Chapman, Inclusions Officer, at
OPSEU head office. Diligence paid off in the case of the
Toronto courthouse workers and similar victories can be
identified elsewhere in the OPS.
More information:
Laurie Chapman
Inclusions Officer
416-443-8888 Ext. 8704
Authorized
for distribution by Leah Casselman, president.
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March 16, 2007 Issue of
Frontlines
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