TO: CORRECTIONAL AND SHERIFF SERVICES COMPONENT 1 (CSSC) MEMBERS

Your Component has been advised that Correctional Centers are currently undergoing a seniority calculation review of all employees based on "hours", not by "date of hire".

The collective agreement defines seniority as your length of continuous service as a regular employee. It also defines specific circumstances, where, if you are on a leave of absence without pay greater than 30 days, you will not accrue seniority over 30 calendar days. You do accrue seniority while on parental leave, maternity leave, adoption leave, Short Term Illness & Injury plan (STIIP or sick time less than 6 months), elected or appointed Union position, or WCB.

The employer and the union have addressed this problem with PTR’s and it is incumbent on the employer to give the more senior employee more hours than the junior employee. A PTR’s start date should not change unless they take leave as stated above. The employer has agreed in the 16th Component agreement to follow the “5 Formula” whenever possible, to mitigate a junior employee from working more hours than a more senior employee.

The Union does not agree with the Employer's interpretation of what constitutes hours worked or not worked for the purpose of seniority accrual. Therefore, if your seniority or seniority date is adjusted, please advise your Union representative as there may be a violation of the collective agreement and we will advise you to file a grievance.

The Employer has interpreted and is applying the above provision incorrectly.

Your Component will be requesting a meeting with the Corrections Branch to clarify this matter and will keep you apprised of any developments.