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Weekend Premium Issue - Operational Services Group

CFIA PI Review - Despite employer delays, we're getting closer

Bigger, better KeyInfo Workplace Information Binder shipped to Locals

Weekend Premium Issue - Operational Services Group

(Posted November 30, 2006)

Recently, Departments had advised members of Table 2 that because they no longer met the new definition of "shift worker", they were no longer entitled to the Weekend Premium under clause 27.02 of the collective agreement.

Members should be aware that discussions between Treasury Board and the Public Service Alliance regarding the application of the Weekend Premium clause have clarified their entitlements. The preamble will be amended, which should effectively allow clause 27.02 to stand alone so that employees who are NOT shift workers will still qualify for the Weekend Premium.

Any grievances which have been filed on this issue can be withdrawn ONCE formal notification is issued by the Department reinstating the entitlement and the payment of any lost monies has been paid.

CFIA PI Review - Despite employer delays, we're getting closer

(Posted November 28, 2005)

While it seems sometimes to move at a glacial pace, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's PI Review is gradually moving forward.

The PI Review generated a total of 32 new generic job descriptions. At this time, only one of the 26 positions grieved remains to be settled: that of EG-03 - Plant Program Inspector (decision no. 20133).

As we reported last July, the ball was firmly in the employer's court. Based on feedback generated from the regions by managers and employees, the Agriculture Union had arrived at a tentative settlement with the CFIA on the final job description. However, that tentative agreement was subject to the employer's review of one aspect of the job description.

Unfortunately, we are still waiting for the employer to finalize their concerns. Effectively, the summer months were frittered away while we cooled our heels. Once the employer provides us with their final position, we will be in a position to determine if it meets the needs and expectation of the members involved.

If our answer is yes, then the Review moves on to the classification stage, where level and grade will be determined. If our answer is no, then we will make use of the mediation process to address our concerns before moving on to the classification stage.

As comparisons are required amongst all 26 grieved job descriptions, none can proceed to classification until all are completed. Once the classification process is complete, all grievors will receive their new job description and classification, indicating where changes have been made.

It also appears that a number of our members are reluctant to take their retirement until their grievances are resolved. Members who have filed grievances should know that their rights are protected, and that retirement from the CFIA will in no way preclude their receiving any benefits from the eventual settlement of the PI Review.

We will continue to provide updates as significant events unfold in the PI Review process.

Bigger, better KeyInfo Workplace Information Binder shipped to Locals

(Posted November 27, 2005)

It's bigger. It's better. It's more convenient. And it's coming soon to an Agriculture Local near you!

The National Office this week is shipping the first hard-copy Agriculture Union 'Key Info' workplace information binder to Local Presidents and Secretaries. The binder's indexed topics cover a wide variety of workplace-centred issues. This invaluable resource will doubtless prove to be of great assistance to Local Officers in their important work of servicing and representing their membership.

Some of the binder's contents have been available and downloadable from our Union's Web site since last spring.

All existing topics have been updated as of this month, and a dozen new topics have been added.

As well, to ensure the widest-possible use, the binder also contains an equally-convenient compact disk (CD) version of Key Info'.

Of course, all members can continue to access KeyInfo topics at any time by visiting the Agriculture Union Web site.

The Web-based topics have also been updated, and continue to be available for downloading in either RTF or PDF formats.

Locals may well find that two binders are not sufficient to meet their needs. If so, additional copies are available to Locals from the National Office at a cost of $40, which includes shipping.

This new KeyInfo binder is part of our commitment to increased communication and support between the National Office and Local leadership. Topics will continue to be updated, and new topics added, as we go forward.

The National Office welcomes any constructive feedback you might wish to provide. Suggestions for additional topics are more than welcome.