GTAA District 333: AMF Scheduling

September 18, 2015 at 3:00 PM

On August 12, 2015, the employer notified the union of their intention to change the hours of work (Schedules) for the members at the AMF. Read the notice here.

There are a number of concerns regarding this change, including scope work, scheduling committee representation, safety and training, as well as the implementation date of the schedule. The other major concern involves the large number of the workforce on seasonal layoff. We needed to ensure that the seasonal workers are able to participate in the winter scheduling committee.

Your bargaining committee met with the employer on many occasions to discuss these concerns, however, the employer was determined to go through the AMF scheduling change process with or without union involvement. As a result, the discussions came to an impasse, forcing the union to file a policy and group grievance.

At the stage 2 grievance meeting on September 8, 2015, the bargaining committee provided the employer with a solution. Shortly after this meeting, a settlement was reached and signed off by the employer and the union.

The settlement returns scope work to the Union, ensures equal representation on the scheduling committees, adjusts the new schedule start date and ensures that two six-month schedules will be implemented as per the CBA.

Further to the settlement, your bargaining committee was able to secure the employer’s commitment to have meaningful discussions regarding the Royal View grievance at the 2016 negotiations and to further discuss using seniority as the mechanism for crew and scheduling selection as the scheduling process develops.

Changing schedules is an ongoing theme at the GTAA; many departments have had, or are facing, these challenges. Requests from the employer to change schedules are always difficult and disruptive for our members. We feel this settlement ensures that the CBA will be followed and the members will be made whole. In addition to the scope work being returned to the members, your bargaining committee will work towards more work being returned at collective bargaining. 

Antonios Kourteridis - District Chair