On November 15, 2010 a hearing was conducted with respect to multiple grievances around the application of the Temporary Market Adjustment rate to our members when substituting. 

At issue were the Memorandum of Agreement #22 (TMA MOA) and the 2008 Memorandum of Understanding signed by the union extending the benefits of the TMA to Component 1 members, as well as Article 27 of the Master Agreement. 

Arbitrator McPhillips has now issued his award and, unfortunately, found that the employer is not required to calculate substitution pay based on TMA rates. 

While the decision is disappointing, the Arbitrator did acknowledge that recruitment and retention issues remain a significant problem within both Corrections and Sheriff Services. Hopefully this acknowledgement will encourage the employer to deal realistically with our continuing concerns around the application of the TMA in Component 1. 

It is within the employer's ability to address this issue and they continue to choose not to do so, despite the clear inequity in having our members substitute for 49 cents an hour in Sheriff Services and 51 cents an hour in Corrections.

Read the Award here.