Thank you to so many for reaching out about your right to wear the green lanyards. We want to share information regarding the complaint that was filed with the Canada Industrial Relations Board yesterday.
This link (CLICK HERE) will bring you to the filing and all the information within. As we note in our submissions you have the right to support your Union throughout the bargaining process, ratification, and interest arbitration.
We feel strongly that the ability to exercise your right to engage in lawful union activity must be protected. This is especially true given the actions of the Federal government which has curtailed CUPE members’ constitutional right to strike. Workers continue to have the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression in the workplace. This is a protected right.
We are optimistic that the CIRB will view our position as being appropriate and will keep you updated. In addition to the challenges we are facing with our right to express strongly held freedoms we have faced many hurdles with the implementation of some of the agreed to items. We filed a policy grievance on the failure or delay on the part of the company in implementing the agreed to items. We have heard from many members regarding how you have been negatively impacted. Essentially the employer has not agreed to meet with the union to discuss how the implementation would be carried out. This has been done in past rounds of negotiations following the agreed to items being determined.
The parties would meet and discuss the details and timelines of these implementations and working groups were formed. In this round the employer had no interest in meeting with us to ensure that a smooth and orderly implementation would take place. Unfortunately, we were left with little choice but to file a grievance. We will work through the grievance process and advocate strongly for the interests of the membership. Thank you for your support and please reach out to us at contact@accomponent.ca if you have any questions.