HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-1165.Rebello.07-08-24 Decision
Crown Employees
Grievance Settlement
Board
Suite 600
180 Dundas Sl. West
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1Z8
Tel. (416) 326-1388
Fax (416) 326-1396
Commission de
reglement des griefs
des employes de la
Couronne
Bureau 600
180, rue Dundas Ouest
Toronto (Ontario) M5G 1Z8
Tel. : (416) 326-1388
Telec. : (416) 326-1396
IN THE MATTER OF AN ARBITRATION
Under
Nj
~
Ontario
GSB# 2005-1165
UNION# 2005-0546-0012
THE CROWN EMPLOYEES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ACT
BETWEEN
BEFORE
FOR THE UNION
FOR THE EMPLOYER
HEARING
WRITTEN
SUBMISSIONS
Before
THE GRIEVANCE SETTLEMENT BOARD
Ontario Public Service Employees Union
(Rebello)
- and -
The Crown in Right of Ontario
(Mini stry of Finance)
Joseph D. Carrier
Serge Linarello
Grievance Officer
Ontario Public Service Employees Union
Julie Legault-Hockley
Labour Relations Consultant
Ministry of Finance
July 24, 2007
July 26,2007.
Union
Employer
Vice-Chair
2
Decision
This matter was presented by way of an Agreed Statement of Facts prepared jointly by
representatives of the employer and the Union. The grievance as filed on behalf of Ms. Eremita
Rebello alleges that she had "been unjustly denied access of the position of Retail Sales Tax
(OAD11) in violation of the Collective Agreement including but not limited to section (8.6.1)
and section (6)".
In April of 2005 the Employer had posted a request "for expressions of interest with respect to
two temporary assignments of less than 6 months duration for the position of OAD 11 in Retail
Sales Tax. The Grievor had signified her interest in accordance with the Employer's request but
was unsuccessful in her bid.
There was no allegation of bad faith or discrimination with respect to the manner in which the
Employer filled the temporary assignments. The Collective Agreement in Articles 8.6.1 and
8.6.2 clearly exclude from the posting provisions of the Collective Agreement (Article 6)
Temporary Assignments of Less than Six Months Duration.
It was the Grievor's position that she should have been granted one of the two temporary
assignments based on her seniority and years of service relative to those employees who were
chosen for the positions.
I have considered the facts in this case and the provisions of the Collective Agreement and I am
satisfied that there is no basis upon which I could intervene or set aside the determination made
by the Employer in the filling of the two temporary positions in question. The Collective
Agreement is clear that the Employer enjoys an unfettered discretion in making temporary
3
assignments of less than 6 months duration. While the Grievor may feel disconsolate having
been overlooked in favour of more junior employees, there is no basis in the Collective
Agreement pursuant to which her claim can be validated. Indeed, there may have been other
valid business considerations to maintain the Grievor in her then current position rather than
temporarily transferring her to one of these assignments. Be that as it may, as I have already
stated, there is no basis within the Collective Agreement upon which the Employer's decision
could be reviewed at arbitration. This is especially so in view of the fact that there are no
allegations of bad faith or discrimination alleged.
In the circumstances the grievance concerning these temporary assignments must be dismissed.
Dated at Toronto this 24th day of August, 2007.