October 19, 2012 at 9:49 AM
Workers at the Hilton Saint John in New Brunswick have high expectations for positive changes in their workplace as they anxiously wait to return back to the bargaining table next year. However, recent events between the union and the company have highlighted that this severely micro-managed environment may be too toxic to tame.
On October 12, 2012, the CAW met with management to present three grievances pertaining to seniority, one of the most important issues to any bargaining unit. As the union began presenting the argument for the first grievance, the general manager (GM) abruptly interrupted, stating that she would not listen to any jurisprudence.
After a short break, the second and third matter was raised. Once again the union referenced the jurisprudence as it pertains to seniority. And once again, the GM refused to listen.
Advancement in labour issues does not depend on good manners; however healthy labour relations are rooted in common courtesy. The refusal to allow pertinent information into a grievance hearing makes a mockery of entrenched labour practices in Canada.
The GM at Hilton Saint John seems shockingly ignorant of the fact that an employer has no right to dictate or sensor what the union can or cannot say when arguing a grievance; that is interference with a trade union and violates the Employment Standards Act (ESA). No person shall circumvent the collective agreement, the ESA, abrogate seniority, and consistently disrespect the union and the rights of their employees.
When the GM states; "I can do what I want when in my building,” they have convinced themselves that they are above the law.
All three grievances will advance to arbitration, a time-consuming and costly venture that could easily have been avoided in these particular cases.
Meanwhile, this incident hints at a much more insidious problem at the Hilton Saint John, and sheds light on why the workers at this location are continuously dissatisfied with the direction management pushes them. Good management equals happy employees and happy employees are the life blood of every successful company.
According to its own web site, since 1919, Hilton Hotels has been a "stylish, forward thinking global leader of hospitality.” If Hilton is to survive and also thrive for another century, management would do well to remember that hospitality begins at home; with its workers and their elected representatives.
For further information on this issue, please contact:
Ashley Watkins, CAW Local 2002 Executive Assistant