New Grievance Resolution Committee Established to Address MUHCEU Critical Grievance Backlog

July 2, 2017

files-paper-office-paperwork-stack-1614223 — Photo: Ag Ku / Pixabay

Despite current efforts, thousands of MUHC CSN union grievances remain unresolved – Some date as far back as the ’90s.

Interim MUHCEU union president, Manuel Fernandes, told Our MUHC, that one of his priorities is to address the grievance backlog.

Grievance Resolution Committee

According to Fernandes, the first step to address the critical situation was the creation of the Grievance Resolution Committee (GRC). The union and employer will meet once a month to address not only old grievances but also newly deposited grievances.

Agreement on Implementing the Summary Procedure

The employer has agreed to the union’s request to implement the Summary Procedure from the Nation Collective Agreement, Article 11.04 and and both parties are now in the process of selecting the arbitrator.

The Summary Procedure, appoints an arbitrator or two year to address MUHCEU union grievances. The arbitrator will hear one grievance per day selected from the list of grievances in Article 11.02 of the national contract. However, in agreement with the employer, other type of grievances could also be included.

The appointed arbitrator must hold the hearing within 15 days of the date on which the case is assigned to them and render a decision in writing within fifteen 15 days of the hearing.

“I believe the Summary Procedure will motivate the GRC committee to resolve grievances,” Fernandes said, “If no agreement is reached, then the appointed arbitrator decides.”

Agreement Reached to Waive 90 Day Harassment Delay

To allow more time for the new Conflict Resolution procedure to reach a positive consensus an agreement has been reached with the employer to wave the 90 delays for depositing harassment grievances.

Update: As of June 18, 2018, employees now have two years, instead of the previous 90 days, to file a complaint with the CNESST (Labour standards, pay equity and workplace health and safety board). The new extended delay should equally apply to depositing a grievance, contact your local union office for confirmation.