Representation

Our members can count on their union to represent their interests in dealings with the employer. It’s a job we take very seriously. While we believe in fostering a constructive relationship with the employer, we’re vigilant and aggressive in protecting our members’ welfare – from the workplace to the courts to Parliament Hill. Volunteer Local executive members lead the daily workplace fight to represent and advance the interests of their co-workers. They assist members on workplace problems or incidents of management abuse in such areas as discipline, harassment, discrimination, health and safety and technological change. While most workplace problems can and should be addressed at the Local Union level, that’s not always possible. In such cases, our members can contact their appropriate Regional Vice-President or National Director. Agricultural Union RVPs and Directors are seasoned, knowledgeable union activists. As they reside in regions across the country, they have an intimate understanding of the individual Local’s circumstances. Union Officers at all levels are also able to draw on a strong team of Service Officers and administrative staff located at our National Office, in Ottawa. These experienced staff provide guidance and support to the membership in all parts of our jurisdiction. Among their responsibilities, Agriculture Union Service Officers provide direct representation on final-level grievances and advisory services to Locals on such issues as health and safety and human rights.

Grievance Representation

Whenever an Agriculture Union member believes that his or her workplace rights have been violated, our union works with that member to try and resolve the problem informally. If that effort fails, the union will provide assistance by reviewing other forms of redress, including the grievance procedure. The grievance procedure includes three or four levels, depending on the Department or Agency involved. The exception involves classification grievances, which are only heard at the final level. National Office Service Officers provide direct representation on final-level grievances.

Representation On Complaints

Coming soon…

Health And Safety

Many of our members work in particularly stressful and dangerous work environments. Effective health and safety provisions are therefore a major preoccupation of the Agriculture Union. The Canada Labour Code’s safety and health provisions provide for joint union-management safety and health committees in all workplaces where 20 or more people are employed. In work places where there are fewer than 20 employees, there must be a union-appointed health and safety representative. In addition to Canada Labour Code protections, there are negotiated safety and health clauses in collective agreements. Some additional agreements reached at the National Joint Council of the Public Service also form part of collective agreements. The National Occupational Safety and Health Policy Committee (NOSH) is the cornerstone of our efforts to ensure the employer follows both the letter and the spirit of federal safety and health laws. NOSH, with representation from both the Agriculture Union and the employer, meets regularly to deal with a wide range of safety and health issues. As a member union of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the Agriculture Union is able to draw on expert PSAC staff with in-depth knowledge of the health and safety laws and regulations that apply to our members.

Labour-Management Consultation

Representation is also provided Agriculture Union members through local, regional and national participation in labour-management consultation committees. Either party can put an item on the agenda of the appropriate LMCC.