HomeMy WebLinkAboutBuchanan 97-12-05IN Tile MATTER OF AN ARBITRATION ~.-~ C~
BETWEEN: C"'//~ '~
MOHAWK COLLEGE
("College")
AND:
O.P.S.E.U.
("Union")
AND IN THE MATTER OF:
GRIEVANCE OF CAM BUCHANAN -- #95A989
BOARD OF ARBITRATION:
Kevin M. Burkett - Chairperson
Ron Hubert - College Nominee
Sandra Nicholson - Union Nominee
APPEARANCES FOR THE COLLEGE:
Vince Johnston - Counsel
Ted Strauch - Chair Motive Power Department
Steve Evans - Human Resources
APPEARANCES FOR THE UNION:
Ian Rowland - Counsel
Bob Pando - President Local 240
Mike Walton - Chief Steward Local 240
Cam Buchanan - Grievor
A heating in this matter was held in Burlington, Ontario on November 2, 1995,
April 30 and October 9, 1996 and April 23, 1997.
AWARD
The Union grieves in this matter that the College breached article 27.06(ii) when it
laid off Mr. Cam Buchanan; a professor in the Motive Power Department with long
service. It is the position of the Union that Mr. Buchanan had "the competence, skill and
experience" to fulf'fl the requirements of a position occupied by a professor who was junior
to him and therefore, should have been permitted to displace that person. Pursuant to
article 27.08B, the Union identified Mr. Neale as the junior professor who occupied the
position that Mr. Buchanan was qualified to assume. The College, on the other hand, takes
the position that Mr. Buchanan lacked "the competence, skill and experience" to perform in
the position occupied by Mr. Neale and accordingly, asserts that there has been no breach
of article 27.06(ii). There is no dispute with respect to our authority to hear and determine
this matter.
The relevant provisions of the collective agreement are set out below:
27.05(iii)
If requested by a member of the CESC within three calendar days following
the meeting under 27.05(ii), the CESC shall meet within seven calendar
days of receipt of such request for the purpose of discussing the planned
staff reduction, the circumstances giving rise to the reduction, the basis for
the selection of the employees affected and the availability of alternative
assignments. It being understood that the College reserves the right to
determine the number and composition of full-time, partial-load and part-
time or sessional teaching positions, the College shall give preference to
continuation of full-time positions over partial-load, part-time or sessional
positions subject to such operational requirements as the quality of the
programs, their economic viability, attainment of program objectives, the
need for special qualifications and the market acceptability of the programs
to employers, students and the community. The CESC may require that
further meetings be held.
27.06(ii)
Failing placement under 27.06(i), such employee shall be reassigned to
displace another full-time employee in the same classification provided that:
(a) the displacing employee has the competence, skill and experience to fulfil
the requirements of the position concerned;
(b) .the employee being displaced' has lesser seniority with the College.
27.06(iii)
Failing placement under 27.07(ii), such employee shall be re-assigned to
displace a full-time employee in another classification upon acceptance of
the identical employment conditions as the classification concerned provided
that:
(a) the displacing employee has the competence, skill and experience to fulfil
the requirements of the position concerned;
(b) the employee being displaced has lesser seniority with the College.
27.08A
An employee claiming improper lay-off, contrary to the provisions of this
Agreement, shall state in the grievance the positions occupied by full-time
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and non-full-time employees whom the employee claims entitlement to
displace. The time limit referred to in 32.03 for presenting complaints shall
apply from the date written notice of lay-off is given to the employee.
27.08B
If the grievance is proCessed through Step 2, the written referral to
arbitration in 32.03 shall specify, from the positions originally designated
in 27.08A, two full-time positions or positions occupied by two or more
partial-load or part-time employees (the sum of whose duties will form one
full-time position), who shall thereafter be the subject matter of the
grievance and arbitration. The griever shall be entitled to arbitrate the
grievance thereafter under only one of (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), or (vii)
of 27.06.
By way of background, there are three programs taught in the College's Motive
Power Department. The first of these is the Motor Vehicle Mechanic Program (MVM),
under which students are taught the various courses required to become a provincially
certified motor vehicle mechanic. There are three phases; the common core, Phase I and
Phase II. Students alternate between periods of instruction and periods of work as an
apprentice mechanic. Mr. Buchanan taught the more sophisticated Phase II courses in this
program. The second program offered is the General Motors Automotive Service
Education Program (ASEP). This is an apprenticeship program provided exclusively to
apprentices employed by General Motors dealers. This program combines MVM courses
with 19 other courses designed specifically for G.M. apprentices. These 19 courses make
up approximately 40% of the ASEP program. These G.M. designed courses deal
exclusively with G.M. products and components. Each lasts from one day to three days.
This program, as with the MVM, is government funded, with graduates earning
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provincial certification as a motor vehicle mechanic. Mr. Buchanan seeks to displace Mr.
Neale from his position as an ASEP instructor. The third program is General Motors
dealer training under which G.M. dealer employed licensed mechanics are taught G.M.
designed refresher courses. The 19 ASEP courses are included in the 90 or so G.M.
dealer training courses that are provided as pan of this program. Mr. Buchanan was
transferred from MVM to G.M. dealer training in July 1994. He grieved the transfer and
was returned to MVM instruction within eight weeks.
Mr. Buchanan is considered to be one of the best MVM instructors in the employ
of the College. However, MVM instructors specialize in specific areas of instruction. Mr.
Buchanan's speciality areas are air conditioning, electricals and electronics, fuels and
cooling systems. The evidence is that ASEP instructors, on the other hand, are required
to teach the full range of courses offered in that program. In addition, the College at the
insistence of General Motors, has required that in advance of teaching in the ASEP
program an individual observe the teaching of each course on two occasions and be
observed teaching each course on one occasion by a qualified instructor or by a General
Motors representative.
The evidence is that in the 16 years that the ASEP program has been in existence,
there have only been two instances where these courses have been taught without the
instructor having this required familiarization. Mr. Pat Salerno, the Manager of the
Motive Power Department from 1990 to 1994, appointed Mr. Bruce Bygrave and Mr.
Greg Grummett in 1994 to teach ASEP courses without the familiarization demanded by
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General Motors. It is Mr. Salerno's evidence that they taught to the required standards.
However, General Motors had a different view. On the basis of its inspections, it
complained by letter dated April 14, 1994 that "...these present ASEP instructors (who
it found to be substandard) have had absolutely no General Motors training." The letter
concludes by asking that "...our regular ASEP instructors...be returned to ASEP
instructing." There was a follow-up series of letters sent to the College by General
Motors within the following year, reminding the College that General Motors expects that
the "same development methods would apply to ASEP instructors (as G.M. dealer
training instructors) to ensure the high degree of familiarity with the course content to
enable credible professional delivery." The third letter from General Motors, dated March
17, 1995, stipulates that "...to qualify for the current ASEP curriculum would require at
least 135 person days for an instructor who already is fully qualified to teach non-G.M.
courses." The requirement to observe each course on two occasions and to be observed
on one occasion before being considered qualified to teach in the ASEP program has,
with the two exceptions noted (and perhaps one other), been consistently applied for the
16 years of the program's existence without complaint from the Union. The College has
allowed those wishing to qualify to sit in on these courses; as Mr. Neale did prior to
being allowed to teach in the program. Indeed, when Mr. Buchanan was transferred to
· G.M. dealer training in 1994, he was told that he would have to sit in on two occasions
before being allowed to teach.
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Mr. Buchanan has sat in on the following ASEP courses; steering columns, air
conditioning controls, (Buick and Pontiac) (Chevrolet and Oldsmobile) anti-lock brakes
and steering wheel controls. He has also taught three courses that, in his view, are the
equivalent of ASEP courses. These are engine electrical and two specialized electronics
courses. These latter courses have been taught in night school to ASEP students who have
failed the day school course. Mr. Buchanan and a colleague reviewed the G.M. student
ASEP manuals for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not he could teach the
remainder of the ASEP courses. We have reviewed Mr. Buchanan's evidence in this
regard and note the following: Mr. Buchanan had never taught hydraulic brakes
(15002.16); did not have a manual for the 4500 NVG standard transmission course
(57700.00); helped an instructor when he was a technologist 10 years before but had no
other involvement with the rear axels and drive shaft course (14001.16); had never taught
the ABS brakes courses (15500.16); had helped an instructor when a technologist 10
years before, but had no other involvement with the steering systems course (13003.16);
did not have a manual and had limited involvement with G.M. speciality trucks
(14002.08); had never taught wheel alignment (13003.00), vibration diagnosis (13023.16)
or diesel electric fuel injection (16015.24). Although he has not observed each of the
other 10 ASEP courses on two occasions and been observed on one occasion, he has
either taught or has related experience that, in our view, would provide him with the
requisite knowledge to teach the' other i0 G.M. specific ASEP courses.
6
Mr. Pat Salerno, the manager of the Motive Power Department from 1990 until
1994, was called to testify by the Union. He confirmed that any student failing a regular
MVM or ASEP course taught in the day school could repeat the course at night in order
to upgrade. He acknowledged in cross-examination that G.M. will only allow a student
to upgrade to a pass through night school. He was asked in chief if, apart from the
General Motors requirement that an instructor observe on two occasions before being
allowed to teach, there was any reason that the grievor could not teach in the ASEP
program. He replied that certain of the MVM faculty could teach in the ASEP program
and he was one of these. He went on to comment that he is on record that many of the
faculty could teach on the G.M. side with a litfle instruction. He admitted in cross-
examination that G.M. will only accept those qualified to its standards to teach its
apprentices. He further admitted that the department gives its faculty the option of
training in the G.M. area on non-contact days. Mr. Neale had taken advantage of this
opportunity. Mr. Buchanan, when sent to the G.M. area for training in May/June 1994,
grieved. Mr. Salerno sent a letter to Mr. Buchanan dated July 20, 1994 in response to
his grievance confirming his capabilities and the intent to rotate all suitable faculty
members through the G.M. training program. Mr. Salerno was asked if it concerned him
that because of the specialization in the MVM area, MVM instructors could not simply
step in and teach in the ASEP program. He replied in the affirmative.
Mr. Greg Crichton, the coordinator of G.M. training, was called by the College.
He testified that there is a local agreement with the Union under which teaching contact
7
hours in the G.M. area are reduced because of the requirement for heavy preparation
caused by constantly changing courses and theory. He testified that the instruction
manuals, as distinct from the student manuals relied upon by Mr. Buchanan, are much
more detailed and complicated. He also confirmed that G.M. faculty are not allowed to
specialize. It is his uncontradicted evidence that G.M. faculty teach the full spectrum of
courses. He conceded that Mr. Buchanan had the capability to teach the ASEP courses
in his specialty areas but testified that he could not have taught the remainder of the
courses. His understanding is that Mr. Neale sat in on each ASEP course that he
subsequently taught on the required two occasions; either as an MVM faculty member
or as an ASEP faculty member.
Mr. Ted Strauch, the chair of the Motive Power Department, was called to testify
by the College. He also confirmed the specialization in the MVM area as reflected in a
local agreement that relieved the College of the obligation to adhere to the SWlF System
until January 1995. It is his uncontradicted evidence that this local agreement applies to
both the ASEP and G.M. dealer training. He referred to Mr. Buchanan as a valued MVM
faculty member who specialized in the electrical/electronic area. He acknowledged that
the January 24, 1995 and two subsequent letters from G.M. formed part of his decision
not to allow Mr. Buchanan to bump Mr. Neale. He testified that the College had to retain
its G.M. instructors. Mr. Strauch testified that he had a conversation with Mr. Buchanan
at the time of his transfer to the G.M. area and that Mr. Buchanan, firstly, complained
about the fact that the G.M. courses are taught at the Stoney Creek Campus (he lived
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close to the Fennel Campus where the MVM courses are taught) and, secondly, about the
need to learn new material when he could teach the MVM courses "off the top". Mr.
Buchanan did not dispute that this conversation took place. Mr. Strauch emphasized that
while Mr. Buchanan attempts to separate the ASEP courses from the G.M. dealer training
courses, G.M. instructors are required to teach both and that both are covered by the local
agreement. The evidence satisfies us, however, that while an ASEP instructor must teach
the full range of ASEP courses, there is a degree of specialization between ASEP and G.M.
dealer training. Mr. Strauch was asked in chief to identify the areas Mr. Buchanan would
be deficient. He replied that because Mr. Buchanan had specialized in the MVM area,
there were areas of the ASEP program that he would not be qualified to teach.
Mr. Strauch did not disagree when it was put to him in cross-examination that
Messrs. Miljanovic and Neale, with the help of a technician, taught exclusively ASEP
courses. However, he qualified his answer by stating that Messrs. Miljanovic and Neale
taught dealer training courses on an as required basis. He acknowledged that in January
1995, Messrs. Miljanovic and Neale had complementary hours to sit in on G.M. dealer
training courses as part of their ASEP duties. He explained that while Mr. Buchanan
would have received the same treatment if he had been an ASEP instructor at the time,
Messrs. Miljanovic and Neale came with a repertoire of ASEP courses. Mr. Strauch
deferred to Mr. Crichton in his assessment of Mr. Buchanan's qualification to teach in the
ASEP program.
9
Mr. Neale commenced sitting in on G.M. courses in 1993 on his own initiative
and by September 1994 had time made available to sit in on these courses on a regular
basis. The Union submitted a document (Ex. #12) listing a series of courses under two
headings; G.M. courses taught to ASEP by Neale and G.M. courses sat in on by Neale.
The Union identified a number of the ASEP courses as having been taught by Mr. Neale
without first having been observed. Mr. Crichton, the coordinator of G.M. training, was
asked in cross-examination if Mr. Neale had sat in on all the ASEP courses before having
taught them. He replied in the affirmative. When asked how he knew this, he replied,
"My records on the G.M. side." When asked how he reconciled his answer with the
information set out in Ex.//12, he replied that Ex.//12 showed only the courses sat in on
from September 1994. Mr. Neale commenced to sit in on G.M. courses from 1993. Mr.
Crichton further testified that Mr. Neale sat in on other courses under ASEP not shown
on the list and that if these are compared to the courses that he taught, it would be found
that he sat in in advance for each course that he taught. Mr. Crichton testified that it was
his practice to ask each instructor, before assigning him to teach, if he had observed the
course and if he was capable. Mr. Crichton was then referred to a number of specific
courses (Base Brake Systems, Engine Diagnosis, Specialized Electronics Training,
Transmission, and NUT550 Transaxle) and asked if Mr. Neale had sat in on these
· courses before teaching them. Mr. Crichton agreed that there was no record to confirm
that Mr. Neale had sat in on the'G.M, side but testified that he may have done so under
10
ASEP. Mr. Crichton reiterated that in each case, he confirmed with the instructor that
he had sat in on the ASEP course before assigning that instructor to teach the course.
The Union argues that on the evidence it must be found that Mr. Buchanan had the
"competence, skill and experience" within the meaning of article 27.06 to teach in the
ASEP program and, therefore, because he was senior, had the right to displace Mr.
Neale. We are referred to the evidence of the grievor, where he reviewed each of the
ASEP courses, to the evidence of Mr. Salerno, the department head from 1990-94 who,
it is submitted, testified that Mr. Buchanan was capable of teaching in the ASEP
program, more so than Mr. Neale, who, it is submitted, was described as an
inexperienced faculty member who required training for ASEP. We are referred to the
evidence of Mr. Crichton who, it is submitted, also considered Mr. Buchanan to be "the
cream of the MVM side" who was capable of teaching in the ASEP program. The Union
asks us to find that the ASEP courses are separate and distinct from G.M. dealer training
and that, considering the substantial overlap between MVM and ASEP courses and the
prior experience of Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Buchanan is qualified to teach in the ASEP
program. We are asked to further find that General Motors cannot impose requirements
to qualification that go beyond those stipulated in the collective agreement; more
specifically, it is submitted that General Motors cannot impose the requirement to observe
each ASEP course on two occasions and to be observed on one occasion prior to
teaching. The Union argues that' if there is any doubt in this regard, reference need only
be had to the fact that Mr. Neale had not observed each ASEP course on two occasions
ll
and had not been observed on one occasion when he was assigned to teach in the ASEP
program. Accordingly, we are asked to find that apart from the G.M. requirements, Mr.
Buchanan had, at all relevant times, the "competence, skill and ability" within the
meaning of Article 27.06(ii)(a) to teach in the ASEP program and, therefore, had the
right to displace Mr. Neale as a junior employee.
The College argues that the onus is on the Union to establish that Mr. Buchanan
had the competence, skill and experience to teach in the ASEP program and thereby was
entitled to displace Mr. Neale. The College asks us to find that the Union has failed to
discharge its onus in this regard. We are asked to reject the evidence of Messrs.
Buchanan and Baker with respect to their ability and qualification to teach the ASEP
courses as uninformed opinion based on student manuals. Rather, having regard to the
teacher specialization that exists in the MVM program and to the evidence of Mr.
Crichton with respect to Mr. Buchanan's ability to teach those ASEP courses in respect
of which he had no experience or very dated experience, we are asked to find that he was
not qualified to teach in the ASEP program. The College reminds us that of the 19 ASEP
courses listed by Messrs. Buchanan and Baker, Mr. Buchanan had no experience or very
dated experience with respect to 12 of these courses.
In response to the Union contention that the General Motors prerequisites are
· irrelevant and ought not to have been considered, the College points out that article
27.05(iii) specifies that the quality of the program, the need for special qualifications and
that market acceptability of the program are to be taken into account. The College argues
12
that by necessary implication, the requirements laid down by General Motors with respect
to the teaching of General Motors apprentices are not only relevant but also reasonable.
In the face of the G.M. specificity with respect to these courses and in the face of these
requirements having been in place without challenge by the Union for some 16 years, we
are asked to find that they constitute prerequisites to qualification; prerequisites that Mr.
Buchanan did not possess. We are reminded that only two instructors have taught these
courses without these requirements in the 16 years that the ASEP program has been in
existence and that both were assigned over the objection of Mr. Cdchton, the coordinator
of General Motors training. We are reminded that Mr. Buchanan was assigned to teach
G.M. courses, which would have qualified him, and he grieved. As to the Union
evidence with respect to Neale not having observed ASEP courses in advance of teaching
them (Ex. #12) we are reminded that the Union document does not list the courses sat in
on by Mr. Neale prior to September 1994. Rather, we are asked to accept the evidence
of Mr. Crichton that on the basis of his documentation and on the basis of his direct
questioning of each instructor prior to being assigned an ASEP course, Mr. Neale
possessed the necessary prerequisites to teach all of the ASEP courses that he did. It is
the position of the College that having regard to all of the foregoing, it must be found
that the Union failed to establish that Mr. Buchanan possessed the competence, skill and
experience to teach the full spectrum of ASEP courses and to further find, therefore, that
he is not entitled to displace Mr. Neale.
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DECISION
Under article 27.06, Mr. Buchanan must establish that he possesses the
"competence, skill and experience" to teach in the ASEP program. As we read article
27.06, the requirement is for present capability. It is only if Mr. Buchanan is capable of
stepping in and performing the core functions of the ASEP position that he is entitled to
displace the junior employee. This then requires an examination, firstly, of what
"competence, skill and experience" is required to teach in the ASEP program and,
secondly, whether Mr. Buchanan possessed this "competence, skill and experience."
The ASEP program combines MVM courses with G.M.-speciflc courses in a
comprehensive training program for G.M. apprentices. The G.M.-specific courses, which
make up about 40% of the overall ASEP program, are designed by General Motors.
General Motors provides the teaching manuals and Updates these on a regular basis. For
our purposes, the single most notable characteristic of the ASEP program is the absence
of specialization. Unlike the MVM program, in which instructors specialize in specific
subject areas, instructors assigned to the ASEP program are required to teach the full
range of course offerings. This is significant because of Mr. Buchanan's background as
an MVM instructor and his specialization in air conditioning, electricals and electronics,
fuels and cooling systems.
General Motors has a long-standing business relationship with this College. Not
only are G.M. apprentices taught at this College, but an extensive retraining and
14
upgrading program is in place for General Motors' mechanics. General Motors pays the
College a fee per student in the mechanic program and, although the ASEP program is
government funded, provides in excess of $10,000 per ASEP student in the form of tools,
materials, equipment and books. Not surprisingly, General Motors has considerable
influence with respect to both the content and the delivery of these courses. For our
purposes the insistence by General Motors that ASEP instructors observe each course on
two occasions and be observed teaching each course on one occasion before being
assigned to teach is of fundamental importance in that the College relied on these criteria
in finding Mr. Buchanan not qualified. The issue is firstly, whether these criteria
constitute the sole measure of an individual's qualification to teach in the ASEP program
within the meaning of article 27.06 and, secondly, whatever the measure of an
individual's qualification, whether Mr. Buchanan possesses the necessary "competence,
skill and experience".
In the manufacturing sector, it is not unusual for the customer to determine product
specification. For example, if General Motors orders an automobile component, it
specifies the size, shape, weight and composition. In addition, through its right to refuse
delivery or to change suppliers, General Motors has ultimate control with respect to
quality. While General Motors does not have direct control over the qualifications
'required of those employed by its suppliers, it has an indirect control by reason of the
business relationship. However, 'while it is normative for the customer to dictate product
specification and quality, it is not normative for the customer to dictate the terms and
15
conditions of employment that govern the supplier's employees. The difficulty here is that
the product supplied to General Motors is the teaching itself (the work of the bargaining
unit employees) and herein lies the rub. In the context of this business relationship, how
does one reconcile the dictates of General Motors with the terms of an enforceable
Collective Agreement negotiated between the College and its teachers?
It is trite to observe that our role is to give meaning to and enforce the terms of
the collective agreement. The collective agreement governs the relationship between the
College and its teachers and, accordingly, any dictate by General Motors, as it impacts
upon any teacher covered by the collective agreement, can only be given effect if it can
be reconciled with the terms of the collective agreement. In this case, the necessary
starting point is the requirement under article 27.06 that the displacing employee have the
"competence, skill and experience" to perform the job. This standard must be given effect
having regard to the nature of the assignment; in this case the teaching of a program
designed to satisfy the needs of a primary client. In this regard reference is to be had to
article 27.05 where it is stipulated that in effecting a lay-off, the College shall give
preference to the continuation of full-time positions "subject to such operational
requirements as the quality of the programs, their economic viability, attainment of
program objectives, the need for special qualifications and the market acceptability of the
· programs to employers." Not surprisingly, given the interface between the College and
the business community, the economic viability and the market acceptability of its
programs are considered to be "operational requirements" under this collective agreement.
16
It follows that in respect of the ASEP program, the requirements that the subject matter
be G.M.-specific and that instructors not specialize in order to better ensure consistency
and continuity of instruction are properly market driven characteristics of the program
that are not inconsistent with the terms of the collective agreement. Indeed, the Union has
never complained that these are defining characteristics of the program nor, it would
appear, has the Union ever complained about the monitoring of these courses by G.M.
personnel. It follows, therefore, that the qualifications of an individual t° teach in the
ASEP program must be measured against these characteristics.
Against this backdrop the question arises as to whether the G.M. imposed
requirement for prior observation and practice teaching govern in assessing an
individual's qualifications to teach in the ASEP program. Notwithstanding the desire by
G.M. to establish high standards and notwithstanding the recognition of economic
viability and market acceptability as operational requirements, this collective agreement
does not specify that an individual observe on two occasions and be observed on one
occasion in advance of being assigned to teach in the ASEP program or any other
program for that matter. Indeed, it has long been recognized in the jurisprudence that
absent specific requirements, the full range of an individual's skills and experience come
to bear in determining qualification. The failure of the Union to have challenged the
requirement laid down by G.M. in this regard evidences an acceptance of the level of
immediate competence required 'to teach courses in this program. However, it does not
evidence an acceptance that under this collective agreement, these requirements are to be
17
given automatic blanket application. Rather, it is open to be determined on a case by case
basis whether an individual has the "competence and experience" to teach in this program
to the required level of immediate competence without having observed on two occasions
and been observed on one occasion. If an individual can demonstrate acquired experience
and a level of skill that establishes immediate competence equal to or greater than
someone with the technical expertise who has observed on two occasions and been
observed on one occasion, that individual must be found to be qualified.
Before turning to the competence, skill and experience of Mr. Buchanan to teach
in the ASEP program, it is necessary to deal with the Union assertion that Mr. Neale did
not observe on two occasions and be observed on one occasion prior to teaching in the
ASEP program and that, therefore, the standard was not consistently applied. Having
regard to the fact that Mr. Neale commenced to sit in on ASEP courses from 1993 while
the document setting out his experience in this regard as relied upon by the Union dates
from September 1994 and having regard to the evidence of Mr. Crichton, we have not
been satisfied that Mr, Neale was knowingly permitted to teach ASEP courses without
satisfying the prerequisites of observing a course on two occasions and being observed
teaching the course on one occasion. The evidence is that in the 16 years that the ASEP
program has been in existence, only two instructors have knowingly been assigned to
.teach without satisfying these prerequisites; in both cases over the objection of the
coordinator of G.M. training. Furthermore, the evidence is that there existed at all
relevant times an open invitation to automotive mechanic instructors to sit in on G.M.
18
courses in order to become qUalified to teach in the ASEP program. The standard,
therefore, has been consistently applied.
This takes us to the qualification of Mr. Buchanan to teach in the ASEP program.
Mr. Buchanan is acknowledged to be among the best of the MVM instructors. However,
as with all of the instructors in that program, he specialized in specific subject areas.
There is no dispute on the evidence that in his areas of specialty (air conditioning,
electricals and electronics, fuels and cooling systems), Mr. Buchanan woUld have been
qualified to teach if there was specialization in the ASEP program. The prerequisites laid
down by G.M. for these courses could not bar him if there was specialization. However,
qualification to teach in the ASEP program requires an immediate or present capability
to teach the full range of ASEP courses to the same standard as if he had observed on
two occasions and been observed on one occasion. On the evidence before us, Mr.
Buchanan has not established immediate or. present' capability with respect to Hydraulic
Brakes (15002.16), 4500 NVG Standard Transmission (57700.00), Rear Axels and Drive
Shaft (14001.16), ABS Brakes (15500.16), Steering Systems (13003.16), G.M. Specialty
Trucks (14002.08), Wheel Alignment (13003.00) and Diesel Electric Fuel Injection
(16015.24). These courses are part of the core duties of an ASEP instructor. Mr.
Buchanan, therefore, because he has not established present capability to teach the full
,range of ASEP courses to the standard required, has failed to establish that he possesses
the "competence, skill and experience" to teach in the ASEP program, within the
meaning of article 26.
19
Having regard to all of the foregoing, it must be found that Mr. Buchanan lacked
the "competence, skill and experience" to teach in the ASEP program, as that program
exists and has existed for some time. Accordingly, it must also be found that he does not
have the right to displace Mr. Neale pursuant to article 27.06 of the collective agreement.
This grievance is hereby dismissed.
Dated this ~ day of Octobor in the City ~/" 7
I concur/dissent ,~ikN P~A }41 ~.~O~SC~
SANDRA NICHOLSON - UNION NOMINEE
I concur/dissent "~N l'[ D~T"
· RON HUBERT - COLLEGE NOMINEE
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