HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-1711.Rizzo.24-05-31 Decision
Crown Employees
Grievance Settlement
Board
Suite 600
180 Dundas St. West
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1Z8
Tel. (416) 326-1388
Commission de
règlement des griefs
des employés de la
Couronne
Bureau 600
180, rue Dundas Ouest
Toronto (Ontario) M5G 1Z8
Tél. : (416) 326-1388
GSB# 2015-1711
UNION# 2015-0618-0013
See Attached Appendix C
IN THE MATTER OF AN ARBITRATION
Under
THE CROWN EMPLOYEES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ACT
Before
THE GRIEVANCE SETTLEMENT BOARD
BETWEEN
Ontario Public Service Employees Union
(Rizzo) Union
- and -
The Crown in Right of Ontario
(Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services) Employer
BEFORE Nimal Dissanayake Arbitrator
FOR THE UNION Ed Holmes
Ryder Wright Holmes Bryden Nam LLP
Counsel
FOR THE EMPLOYER Ferina Murji
Treasury Board Secretariat
Legal Services Branch
Counsel
HEARING June 2, 2023; September 15, and 26, 2023; October 20,
2023; December 12, 2023; January 17, 18 and 30, 2024;
February 13, 15 28 and 29; 2024; March 26 and 27, 2024.
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Decision
[1] This decision relates to multiple preliminary motions by the employer with
respect to 36 individual grievances filed between July 15, 2015, and December
12, 2020, by Ms. Sonya Rizzo (“grievor”). Throughout this period, she was
employed as a Youth Services Officer (YSO)at the Cecil Facer Youth Centre
in Sudbury, Ontario.
[2] The Board first convened on this matter on October 5, 2028, at which time it
had only 5 grievances before it. Additional grievances were subsequently filed
and referred to arbitration. The Board convened on May 22, 2019; September
10, 2021, and September 9, 2022, and all of the grievances were consolidated
on agreement. On these days, the parties engaged in mediation and/or
discussed hearing process issues. Then while preparing for arbitration the
employer discovered 6 more grievances filed by the grievor, which had not
been referred to arbitration. When this was brought to the attention of the union
it referred those 6 grievances also to arbitration. With 36 grievances before
the Board, employer counsel commenced submissions on its preliminary
motions on June 2, 2023. She prepared a chart numbering the grievances 1
to 36 and setting out the preliminary objections raised against each grievance.
There were over 100 preliminary motions of different types raised in total.
Using that chart as a guide to assist the Board, she took up the grievances one
by one from 1 to 36, and made submission on the preliminary objections raised
against each of them.
[3] After the employer counsel had completed submissions on all 36 grievances,
union counsel advised the Board that the union was withdrawing 12 of the 36
grievances, namely those numbered 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28
and 29. This decision deals with the 24 grievances that remained. Employer
counsel submitted that solely for the purposes of the various preliminary
motions, the Board may accept that the facts asserted in the grievance
statements and particulars are true.
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[4] Employer counsel pointed out that the vast majority of the grievances alleged
that the employer had violated one or more of article 2 (Management Rights),
article 3 (Discrimination) and article 9 (Health and Safety). It was a continuing
story from 2015 to 2021 of the grievor being harassed/ bullied, and exposed to
violence and unsafe poisoned work environment. The alleged misconduct was
attributed to a number of different individuals including managers and co-
workers. Counsel also pointed out that in the period July 2015 to December
2021, the grievor was not at work for approximately 58 months. Many of her
grievances were filed while she was on extended leaves of absences due to
illness or on WSIB. Counsel prepared a chart indicating the grievances filed
when the grievor was not at work
[5] The union’s particulars were set out in 239 paragraphs. It describes the
grievor’s account of what she experienced at work from April 2014 to the end
of August 2021, although the last of her 36 grievances was filed on December
12, 2020.
[6] The Board was provided a chart setting out the days when the grievor was
absent from work in the period covered by the particulars. It shows that in 2014
she was off sick on STSP from April 30 to November 6 and from March 30 to
September 29, 2016. From September 30, 2016 to September 25, 2018, she
was off on LTIP and returned to work on a graduated basis until October 21.
Then she commenced a WSIB absence from November 26 to December 6,
2018, and returned to her YSO position on December 10, 2018. She
commenced a WSIB absence again on February 13, 2019, and remained so
until July 5, 2020. She returned to work on a graduated basis on July 6, 2020,
until September 28, 2020. She again went on a WSIB absence from May 24,
2021, to July 18, 2021, when she returned on a graduated basis and was at
work until October 3, 2021. Finally she went on a WSIB absence on November
24, 2021, following an incident with a youth, and had not returned to work as
of the last day of hearing March 27, 2024.
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[7] Reviewing another chart, counsel pointed out that the particulars name at least
15 managers and Administrators. Allegations are made against many of them,
including the grievor’s immediate supervisors. Similar allegations are levelled
at numerous co-workers and WDHP and labour relations staff. Despite not
being at the workplace for extended periods, she filed 36 grievances naming
these managers and co-workers. Counsel submitted that what this
demonstrates is that the grievor has experienced a lot of trauma while working
as a YSO over the years, and has a heightened sensitivity, is very vulnerable
and afraid of day to day events that take place a work which pose no threat to
her. Counsel submitted that the grievor’s state of mind is bordering on being
paranoid, believing that everyone is targeting her. Counsel argued that this is
a product of her own sensitivity and vulnerability. As she reviewed the
particulars counsel noted that many of the grievances were filed during periods
when the grievor was not even at the workplace.
[8] Employer counsel referred to article 22.1 of the collective agreement, which
reads.
22.1 It is the intent of this Agreement to adjust as quickly as possible any
complaints or differences between the parties arising from the
interpretation, application, administration or alleged contravention of this
agreement, including any questions as to whether a matter is arbitrable.
(underlining added)
Section 7(3) of the Crown Employees Collective Bargaining Act (CECBA)
which reads:
Every collective agreement relating to crown employees shall be
deemed to provide for the final and binding settlement by arbitration by
the Grievance Settlement Board without stoppage of work, of all
differences between the parties arising from the interpretation,
application, administration or alleged violation of the agreement,
including any question as to whether a matter is arbitrable. (underling
added)
[9] Counsel relied on the underlined words in those provisions and submitted that
where an employee feels that a right he/she has under the collective
agreement or legislation had been violated, he/she has the right to file a
grievance. However, the GSB is a statutory tribunal, and its jurisdiction is
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limited by provisions in CECBA and the collective agreement. In individual
grievances the Board has jurisdiction only over alleged violations which directly
or indirectly impacted the grievor’s rights under the collective agreement or
legislation. Even though the Board may have sympathy about a grievor’s
feelings or concerns, it has no jurisdiction over grievances that do not meet
that test or grievances based on grievor’s personal agendas or perceived
concerns, however strongly held.
[10] Counsel submitted that each preliminary objections raised by the employer
must be considered in the larger context of the number of grievances filed by
this grievor, the nature of those grievances, when they were filed, whether the
grievor was at work at the time of filing at the time, her subjective intention, and
her current employment status and circumstances.
No Prima Facie Case
[11] Citing Re Couture, GSB 2008-0808 (Dissanayake), counsel said that the
moving party must establish that the facts asserted, if accepted as true, are
not capable of establishing the elements necessary to substantiate the
violations alleged. In the instant grievances, the grievor primarily alleges
violations of articles 2 (management rights), 3 (discrimination) and 9 (health
and safety). However, there are no facts in the particulars that could possibly
substantiate violations of any of those articles. The same is true with respect
to the allegation that the grievor had been disciplined. The facts asserted are
mostly about the grievor’s subjective concerns, fears or conclusions and her
opinions about how the employer must exercise its management rights.
Counsel cited and reviewed the following authorities. Re Martin GSB 2020-
2136 (Dissanayake); Re Solomon Smith 2017-0054 (Anderson); Re Pletikos,
GSB 2011-0750 (Dassanayake); Re Poblete GSB 2017-0709 (Herlich); Re
Bonneveld GSB 2010-1747 (Briggs); Re Morgan, GSB 2012-1700 (Tims).
Not Arbitrable
[12] Employer counsel again relied on S. 7(3) of CECBA and article 22.1 of the
collective agreement and submitted that a grievance is arbitrable only if it
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alleges that a right the grievor has under the collective agreement or legislation
has been adversely impacted by the asserted employer action or inaction.
Counsel cited the following authorities. Re May, GSB 2001-1151 (Abramsky);
Re Difrederico GSB 2008-0868 (Dissanayake); Re Belanger et al, 1999-1782
(Harris); Re Lesieur et al, 2002-1756 (Briggs); Re OPSEU and the Ministry of
Government Services, GSB 2011-2449 (Petryshen).
Not Proper Individual Grievances
[13] Again, counsel relied on the same statutory and collective agreement
provisions, and submitted that the grievor is not entitled to grieve in her
individual grievances that rights of her co-workers or of the union were violated.
She can only assert that her own rights were impacted. Many of her
grievances are about the health and safety of others. Counsel relied on the
following authorities. Re May (supra); Re Fox, GSB 1982-572 (Draper); Re
Taylor-Baptiste, 1988-469 (Dissanayake); Re Haynes, 1989-1246 (Kirkwood);
Re O’Flaherty, 2017-0444 (Luborsky).
Moot or Resolved
[14] Employer counsel submitted that if some grievances survive the no prima facie
case motion, they are moot or resolved. In some the grievor’s concern have
been addressed by the employer. In others, there is no live issue because the
permanent medical restrictions imposed on the grievor do not permit her to
return to work in a correctional environment, and also because Cecil Facer is
slated to be closed down. This preliminary objection applies to 12 of the 36
grievances. Counsel relied on the following authorities: Borowski v. The AG of
Canada [1989] S.C.R. 242 (S.C.C.); Re Mohamed, 2020-2014 (Hewat).
Untimely Referral to arbitration
[15] Counsel’s motion for dismissals on this ground related to grievances, 32 to 36,
all of which were discovered by the employer after this hearing had
commenced and were subsequently referred to arbitration.
[16] Following the review of the law relevant to the preliminary motions, employer
counsel applied the principles therein to each of the grievances. I will only deal
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with submissions made in relation to the 24 grievances that remained after the
union withdrew the rest.
Grievances 1 and 2
[17] Employer counsel reviewed the statements in the grievances filed on July 15,
2015. With respect to grievance 1 she reviewed paragraphs 48, 49 and 109
as those relevant. Paragraphs 67 to 77 and 89 were reviewed as relevant to
grievance 2.
[18] Employer counsel submitted that the particulars for grievance 1 have no facts
to suggest that the grievor was disciplined at all. There is no assertion that she
was issued any letter of discipline or that any discipline was documented
anywhere. Instead, the particulars state that the grievor asked whether she was
being disciplined and the manager clearly said “no”. Therefore, there is no prima
facie case with respect to the allegation of discipline. Since there was no
discipline, the absence of a union representative during this meeting is a non-
issue.
[19] Counsel submitted that the particulars do not assert facts as to what the
discipline was, or who disciplined her. The particulars suggests that the alleged
harassment and bullying was committed by disciplining the grievor. Thus, in the
absence of a prima facie case for discipline, there cannot be a prima facie case
for the harassment/bullying allegations either. Reliance was placed on Re
Problate (supra) and Re Mohamed (supra).
[20] With regard to the allegation of discrimination, counsel submitted that the
grievance form nor the particulars specify what the prohibited ground was or
what protected group the grievor was part of. The employer was aware that the
grievor had fears and found working with the youth very stressful and
challenging. It addressed this by approving sick leave when the grievor
requested. However, the particulars do not assert facts to establish that it was
made aware that the grievor had a disability or that the grievor was subjected to
differential treatment, or if there was any differential treatment, that it was in any
way linked to her disability.
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For those reasons, counsel submitted that the Board should dismiss grievances
1 and 2 as not establishing a prima facie violation of articles 2, 3 or 9 of the
Ontario Human Rights Code.
[21] Counsel submitted that if the Board does not dismiss the grievances on that
motion, it should do so on the grounds that they are moot. Citing Borowski, as
holding that a complaint is moot if a live issue no longer exists, counsel
submitted that in these grievances that is the case, because the grievor has a
permanent restriction that prevents her from working in a correctional
environment and it was announced in February 2023 that Cecil Facer is to close
down in about one year. Counsel also pointed out that many of the individuals
against whom the allegations were made have either retired or left Cecil Facer.
Counsel urged the Board to conclude that there is no live controversy that is
arbitrable and there is no reason to exercise the Board’s discretion to proceed
with a hearing.
Grievance 3
[22] Grievance 3 was filed on April 7, 2016, while the grievor was on a leave of
absence. Counsel reviewed the statement of grievance and submitted that she
could not find any particulars that could potentially establish the alleged
violations. There is no information at all as to who did what or when to foster a
poisoned work environment or to harass and discriminate against her.
Therefore the test in Re Couture is clearly not met and the Boad should find no
prima facie case and dismiss grievance 3. In the alternative, counsel submitted
that, for the same reasons she had presented with respect to grievances 1 and
2, the Board should find no live issue to be arbitrated and find this grievance
moot.
[23] Grievance 4 was also filed on April 7, 2016, while the grievor was off on STSP.
Counsel submitted that this grievance is also about the incident involving YSO
D’Orazio a year earlier, which had been grieved in grievance 2. She stated that
she could not find any facts other than those at paragraphs 67 to 77 of the
particulars. Like grievance 2, there are no facts that could establish the
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elements of the allegations of harassment, bullying violence by any managers
or co-workers or what management failed to do. It is nothing but a list of
complaints and conclusions, which the employer has “failed to deal with”. In this
grievance it is alleged that the on-going workplace issues involve violence and
bullying by “management and senior administration”. However, there is no
information of who the management and senior administration were. Nor are
there any particulars of how she was discriminated against or what the
prohibited ground was. Counsel submitted that in these circumstances the
Board should dismiss grievance 4 also as not establishing a prima facie case.
In the alternative, counsel argued that this grievance is moot for the same
reasons as the previous grievances.
[24] Grievance 5 was filed on July 19, 2018, again while the grievor was off on STSP.
Employer counsel reviewed the statement of grievance as well as paragraphs
195 to 197 of the particulars as relevant to it. Employer counsel submitted that
while the grievor has provided some particulars, it was lacking in detail. She
commenced to submit that documentary evidence will contradict the grievor’s
position that she had been cleared to start work that day. When the arbitrator
intervened, counsel agreed that at this stage the grievor’s facts are deemed to
be true.
[25] In support of her alternate submission of mootness also, she stated that
documentary evidence will show that she was not supposed to return to work
on June 19, 2018, as she claims. She submitted that unlike in no prima facie
case motions, the employer is entitled to present evidence to support a
mootness motion, to show there is no live issue to be arbitrated. That is
particularly so because this allegation against Mr. Erwin is a one-time incident
that took place 8 years ago.
[26] Employer counsel reviewed the statement of grievance 6 filed on January 24,
2019. She submitted that there were no particulars to support the alleged
violations of harassment and discrimination that could possibly meet the Re
Couture test for prima facie case. There are no facts as to what hours she
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worked but was not paid or when that work was done. Nor is there any
information as to what the discrimination was or who discriminated against her
or harassed her. Those allegations about non-payment for work has not been
particularized. Counsel submitted that this grievance should be dismissed as
not establishing a prima facie case. Counsel also reviewed documentation/
records that she submitted clearly establishes that the grievor was in fact paid
more than the amounts claimed in the grievance. Therefore, there is no live
dispute to be arbitrated and the grievance should be declared moot. Union
counsel at this point intervened and undertook to check and follow up on the
employer’s position.
Grievances 7, 8 and 9
[27] These grievances were filed on March 29, 2019. Employer counsel reviewed
the statements in the three grievances. At the time the grievor filed these
grievances the grievor was off on WSIB. She did not return to work until
September 25, 2019. With regard to grievance 7, employer counsel submitted
that although the grievor alleges that the employer discriminated against her
because of her disability, she does not say what her disability was. There are
no particulars as to who discriminated or harassed her, when that was, or what
impact it had on her. Counsel reviewed the decision in Re Bonneveld , 2010-
747 (Briggs) where the allegation was that the grievor was discriminated against
because of her age, when she was scheduled for less shifts than other co-
workers. The arbitrator set out the following requirements an employee must
meet to establish a prima facie case:
1. That he or she is a member of the group protected by the Code.
2. That he or she was subjected to adverse treatment, and
3. That his or her gender, race, color or ancestry was a factor in the adverse
treatment.
[28] The Board accepted that requirement 1 above was met since the grievor was
69 years old. However, in finding that requirements 2 and 3 were not met. Vice-
Chair Briggs wrote the following:
[48] Further, in this regard I must agree with the Employer that given
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the disclosure provided to the Union, the lack of “who, what, when and
where” is troubling. At the time that the scheduling information was given
to the Union, it knew the Employer was going to proceed with a no prima
facie motion. If the disclosed information assisted the Union in its case,
it could have and should have been set out in further particulars. In the
facts of this case, it is not sufficient for the Union to say the Employer
knew what the work schedules revealed.
[51] As set out above, the third element in determining if a prima facie
case has been made out is whether it was the grievor’s gender, race,
colour or ancestry was a factor in the alleged adverse treatment. It is not
necessary to consider if this element is present given my finding
regarding adverse treatment. However, it is perhaps useful to comment
that in my view there is nothing in the particulars that leads to a finding
that the grievor was discriminated against because of his age. I accept
that Ms. S.V. and other Cooks are younger than the grievor. But the fac
that every other Cook is younger than the grievor is not, in and of itself,
proof of discrimination.
[29] With regard to grievance 8, counsel submitted that there are no particulars as to
who, what, when, where, in relation to the allegations of being discriminated,
harassed, bullied and singled out. There are no facts as to which grievances
she had filed that allegedly motivated whoever singled her out, or what the
adverse treatment was. Therefore, the test in Re Couture is not met. The
grievance should be dismissed as not supporting a prima facie case.
[30] Turning to grievance 9, employer counsel submitted it also should be dismissed
as not establishing a prima facie case. While the grievance alleges “abuse of
management rights, harassment and discrimination, there are no particulars as
to who failed to follow what policy or procedure or when it was done. Nor is
there any information as to what the adverse treatment was or what “significant
repercussions that treatment had on her “health and well-being”. The arbitral
jurisprudence requires the grievor to assert a nexus between the alleged
adverse treatment and the alleged impact on her. Here the grievor has not even
asserted facts as to what the adverse treatment or the health impact was.
Grievances 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 25
[31] On September 19, 2021, the grievor filed a total of 18 individual grievances. At
the time of filing these the grievor had returned to her YSO position on a gradual
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basis. As previously noted, after the employer completed submissions on all 18
grievances seeking their dismissal, the union withdrew 10 of them. That left the
8 above-noted grievances.
[32] Counsel reviewed the statement of grievance on grievance 10 and identified
paragraphs 212 to 214 of the union’s particulars as relevant to it. Counsel
submitted that there are absolutely no facts to show that any youth assaulted
the grievor or any staff or exhibited any hostility toward staff. The grievor on her
own concluded that other staff and she may be assaulted by youth based on
how the employer enforced protocol. Therefore, there is no prima facie case
established.
[33] Counsel also submitted that this grievance is not arbitrable because it is an
allegation that the employer failed to comply with the policy on use of MP3
players by youth. Citing Re Dobroff (supra) she submitted that the Board’s
jurisdiction is only with respect to disputes arising under the terms of the
collective agreement and applicable legislation, not how the employer treats
youth in relation to use of MP3 players or what music they listen to.
[34] Counsel also relied on Re May (supra) in submitting that this grievance is
inarbitrable because there are no particulars asserting that the grievor herself
was impacted or could have been potentially impacted adversely as a result of
the employer’s alleged failure to abide by the MP3 policy. Moreover, the
grievor’s allegation that “some staff became target of youth” is not properly
alleged in an individual grievance. At best, that concern may be properly raised
in a union policy grievance.
[35] Counsel finally relied on the submission made in relation to other grievances
that this grievance is moot.
[36] Employer counsel reviewed the statement of grievance 11 and stated that in her
view, the particulars at paragraphs 215 to 227 relate to it. Counsel submitted
that the grievor alleges that the MP 3 players’ content was “highly offensive and
inappropriate songs,” but does not state what was offensive about the songs. It
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is a subjective conclusion by her nor does the particulars state how what
“violence” prevails or how the songs are in anyway connected to that violence.
[37] After a review of the statement of grievance12 , employer counsel submitted that
the allegations are (1) That Mr. Erwin failed to have the meeting as promised.
(2) That YSM Cheverette and YMS Terry Labbe failed to provide her a safety
plan upon the grievor’s return to work and (3) That as a result of the employer’s
lack of care and accountability, the grievor’s safety was jeopardized by creating
a poisoned work environment, and that she was subjected to discrimination and
harassment. Counsel submitted that the grievor has levelled very serious
charges against managers, but no particulars are provided for any of those
charges. It was submitted that this grievance should be dismissed as not
supporting a prima facie case.
[38] After reviewing the statement of grievance 14 counsel submitted that no
specifics are provided with regard to management conduct which allegedly
constituted violations of the collective agreement articles 2, 3 or 9. Counsel
submitted that the facts asserted if true, only show that she was not given the
requested breaks at the time the grievor wanted. She submitted that the
collective agreement has no provision entitling employees to breaks or to be
relieved from scheduled work. Citing Re Belanger (supra) it was submitted that
this grievance is not about any dispute arising out of the collective agreement.
Therefore, it is not arbitrable.
[39] Referring to her submissions in relation to other grievances filed the same day,
counsel submitted that this grievance fails to meet the test in Re Couture (supra)
and should be dismissed as not establishing a prima facie case also.
[40] Counsel reviewed the statement of grievance 15 and particulars and pointed out
that paragraph 225 states that this occurred in the context of a period where
many staff experienced injuries and that the grievor “felt extremely scared and
took the threat quite seriously”. It was submitted that this grievance is not
arbitrable and does not establish a prima facie case for the violations alleged. It
was pointed out that this is about what an unidentified youth told her. The law
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requires the Board to accept as true for this motion only facts the grievor asserts,
not what someone else told her. In any event, the grievor has turned what the
youth told her into a “threat” against her. It is just a subjective reaction due to
her fear and sensitivity. Citing Re Couture, counsel submitted that subjective
beliefs or reactions, however genuinely held, are not to be taken as true. It was
submitted that the Board has no jurisdiction to arbitrate disputes arising from
subjective conclusions. The facts also do not support a prima facie case and
should be dismissed.
[41] Following a review of the statement of grievance 16, employer counsel stated
that paragraphs 220 to 224 may pertain to this grievance. These particulars are
about the grievor’s concerns and subjective fears and beliefs about employer’s
policies relating to use of MP3 players by youth. Citing Re Belanger (supra) she
submitted that there are no facts to link her fears and concerns about that policy
to any right she has under the collective agreement. Citing Re Taylor-Baptiste
(supra), she submitted that there are no facts to show that the employer’s action
or inaction with respect to MP 3 players in any way impacted on her rights or
that of any other staff. Therefore, the Board was urged to dismiss the grievance
as inarbitrable and/or not establish a prima facie case.
[42] Counsel submitted that there are no particulars with respect to this grievance
apart from the grievance statement alleging failure by the employer to follow
proper medical policy and procedure with regard to a youth. Those facts have
nothing to do with any rights the grievor has under the collective agreement.
Counsel submitted that the grievance should be dismissed as arbitrable and not
establish a prima facie case.
[43] After a review of the statement of grievance 25, counsel submitted that the only
particulars relevant to this grievance is paragraph 212, which states in part:
YSOP Walsh then left the grievor and the youth by themselves (which is
contrary to the safety protocols of making sure that there are always more
than one staff present when accompanying youth) and stated that he
would “have to go relieve Mason”.
She submitted that this is another example of the grievor complaining and
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disagreeing with how management is running the institution. The grievor asserts
that the policy and procedure at another institution are better than at Cecil Facer.
Citing Re Taylor-Baptist, (supra) counsel submitted that this is not a grievance
about her safety. She has not set out any facts as to how what her co-worker
did on that occasion impacted her health and safety or that the employer was
even aware of what the co-worker did. Counsel submitted that the grievance
should be dismissed as inarbitrable and not supporting a prima facie case.
[44] Employer counsel reviewed the statement of grievance 30, which is about the
grievor being provided with COVID rapid test kits with expired dates. She
submitted that this grievance alleges only a violation of the management rights
clause by the employer’s failure to inform the grievor that the manufacturer had
extended the expiry date of the COVID rapid tests. Citing GSB decisions and
the court decision in Weber, she submitted that the grievance has no link to the
collective agreement and, therefore, inarbitrable. She referred to documentary
evidence and submitted that a memorandum in fact was sent to all staff,
including the grievor, informing of the extension of the expiry date.
[45] Counsel submitted that in any event it is not asserted that the alleged omission
by the employer resulted in impacting on the health and safety of the grievor
rights under article 9. Her assertion that is caused her “unnecessary” stress is
her own subjective conclusion. There are no facts asserted as to how that stress
was manifested or when she experienced stress. It was submitted that the
Board should find that there was no prima facie case of violation of any provision
of the collective agreement.
PARTICULARS FOR THE FOLLOWING GRIEVANCES ARE ATTACHED AS
APPENDIX B
Grievance 31
[46] Employer counsel submitted that the particulars describe disorderly, conduct,
and profanity by a youth and his assault or the grievor. The grievor does not
assert any action or inaction by management which led to the assault. Counsel
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noted that youth in custody are convicts. There is no doubt they could
misbehave and be violent at times. However, dealing with difficult youth is a
part of a YSO’s job.
[47] Counsel submitted that the particulars do not establish a prima facie case that
the employer violated any provision in the collective agreement that conferred
any right on the grievor. She submitted, citing Re Damani (supra) that the
grievor’s belief, however strongly held, is not sufficient to show a prima facie
case.
[48] Employer counsel submitted that grievances 32 to 36 are very similar.
Grievance 32
[49] This grievance was filed on January 28, 2020, while the grievor was off on WSIB.
Employer counsel reviewed the particulars and referred to the WSIB
memorandum which the union relies on. She submitted that it does not indicate
the employer’s unwillingness to accommodate the grievor. It simply sets out her
restrictions, including inability to engage in crisis intervention. That means she
cannot work with youth. Reviewing another WSIB document, she submitted that
it says while the grievor may monitor cameras and observe violence visually,
she cannot be physically involved or have hands-on contact with youth. She
submitted that this is what the grievor had told the WSIB. Counsel submitted
that contrary to the union’s assertion, the employer had in fact offered the grievor
to return to work in the control position. However, the grievor, the WSIB and the
employer had agreed that there is no suitable work for the grievor at Cecil Facer.
Grievance 33
[50] This grievance was filed on February 10, 2020, approximately a month after
grievance 32, while the grievor was still off on WSIB. Counsel directed the
Board’s attention to the WSIB documents she had reviewed in relation to
grievance 32, which makes it clear that the grievor, the WSIB and the employer
agreed that there was no suitable work for the grievor at Cecil Facer.
Grievance 34
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[51] This grievance was filed on October 1, 2020. Relying on the Borowski decision
of the Supreme Court of Canada, counsel for the employer once again reviewed
documentary evidence to argue that the grievor’s restrictions prevented her from
returning to work at Cecil Fraser, and moreover Cecil Facer is scheduled to close
down in a year. Therefore, the claim in this grievance to be return the grievor
to work is a remedy not available. Thus, there is no live issue to be arbitrated.
Counsel argued that the grievance was referred to arbitration long after the
mandatory time limit had passed. It should be also dismissed as untimely.
Grievance 35
[52] This grievance was filed on November 13, 2020. Employer counsel stated that
grievance 35 alleges that articles 2 and 3 were violated by the employer in two
ways. First, that the employer failed to comply with the timelines stipulated in
the collective agreement in processing her grievance 34 filed on October 1,
2020, and secondly, by not correctly following the Health and Productivity
Program process.
[53] With regard to the first allegation counsel submitted that if the employer misses
the deadline to hold the first stage resolution meeting, the case law is clear that
the clock continues to run for the 15 days the grievor has under article 22.6.1 to
refer the grievance to arbitration by the GSB. Employer counsel referred to
documentation and submitted that this grievance is also moot because it was
addressed in February 2021. It was referred to arbitration approximately 23
months after the article 22.6 deadline had passed. Like grievance 34, the
employer was justified in concluding that it had been abandoned.
[54] Counsel submitted that while she had raised different preliminary objections with
respect to grievances 32 to 36 the Board should dismiss all of them simply on
the basis that they were referred to arbitration long after the 15-day timeline had
under article 22.6 had expired.
[55] Counsel filed a chart, the content of which was not disputed by the union. The
chart is as follows:
Grievance Date filed Date of referral
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No: 32-GSB 2022-11845 Jan. 28, 2020 Feb. 6, 2023
No: 33-GSB 2022-11844 Feb. 10, 2020 Feb. 6, 2023
No: 34-GSB 2022-11846 Oct. 1, 2020 Feb. 6, 2023
No: 35-GSB 2022-11847 Nov. 13, 2020 Feb. 6, 2023
No: 36-GSB 2022-11848 Dec. 12, 2020 Feb. 6, 2023
Counsel submitted that grievance 33 was filed approximately 34 months after
the mandatory time limit for referral stipulated in article 22.6 had expired. The
other four grievances were filed approximately 2 years late.
[56] Counsel submitted that while the Board has discretion to extend time limits for
referral to arbitration, there are no valid reasons to exercise that discretion in for
these grievances. She stated that the nature of the grievances does not favor
extension. She stated the Board should consider the nature of these
grievances. Grievance 32 and 33 allege failure to accommodate, not at the
lowest in the spectrum of seriousness, but not very serious either like
termination. Grievance 34 was about an alleged failure to pay for half an hour.
Grievance 35 alleged a violation of failure to properly process a grievance she
filed in October 2021 and failure to properly follow the employer’s health
productivity program. Grievance 36 complains that her pay cheques and
pension contributions were incorrect and difficult to understand.
[57] Employer counsel submitted that an examination of the nature of grievances 32
to 36, in the context of the employer’s in the context of the employer’s numerous
preliminary objections raised against each of them, and the lengthy delays in
referring them to arbitration, the Board should not exercise its discretion to
extend time. Grievances should be dismissed for failure to comply with article
22.6. In support of her submissions counsel relied on a number of authorities
including the following: Re Becker Milk Company (1975) 19 L.A.C. (2d) 217
(Burkett); Greater Niagara General Hospital ((1981) 1 L.A.C. (3d) (Schiff); Re
Chu, 2015-2559 (Petryshen), Re Stone, 1111-99 (Johnston Re Problete (supra);
Re Crawford (supra); and (Re Smith (Gray) 2006-2107.
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[58] Employer counsel argued that in these grievances no reasons or explanations
for the delays have been provided. She submitted, citing Re Nedai 2015-2063
(Briggs) that the grievor is someone who had filed many grievances over the
years. Even if the union was responsible for the delays, the grievor should have
checked to ensure that the union processes her grievances in a timely way.
[59] Employer counsel took the position that given the lengthy delays and all of the
other factors, the employer was entitled to assume that the grievances had been
abandoned and/or are moot. Many of the managers named in the grievances
have retired or otherwise left the ministry. Even if the employer is able to contact
them it is unlikely that they would have relevant documents or have a good
memory with regard to the allegations made against them. Therefore, if the
Board extends time, it will result in significant prejudice to the employer’s ability
to defend itself.
Union submissions
[60] Counsel commenced by reviewing articles 2 (Management Rights), 3
(Discrimination and harassment) and 9 (Health & Safety). He submitted that in
determining the motions against grievances alleging violations of those
provisions, legislation and relevant employer policies must also be given
consideration.
[61] Counsel disagreed that the grievor had not identified any disability. He reviewed
numerous paragraphs in the union’s particulars to argue that the employer was
well aware that the grievor had a disability which brought her within a protected
group under article 3 and the OHRC.
[62] Counsel submitted that overall, the union’s theory in these grievances is that
the employer’s actions or failures to take action resulted in discrimination and
harassment of the grievor, who was entitled to protection as a disabled person.
He submitted that the union has made out a prima facie case for the alleged
violations. The following authorities were relied on: Re Martin, 2013-3579
(Anderson); Re Taylor, 2022-7434 (O’Neil); Re Pereira, 2013-0016 (Harris);
Royal Ottawa Hospital, July 15, 2016 (Ont. Ct. of Justice). Citing Re Bellanger,
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(Harris) (supra), it was submitted that in determining no prima facie motions, the
Board should be guided only by the statement in the grievance form filed and
the particulars filed by the Union.
[63] With regard to motions that grievances are not arbitrable, counsel submitted that
the GSB’s jurisprudence, including Re Dobroff (Dissanayake) (supra), and other
decisions that followed it, requiring that a grievance alleging a violation of article
2 must have a hook to another substantive provision of the collective agreement
or legislation a right, is no longer good law after the court decisions in Weber,
Parry Sound and the SCC decision in Bhasin & Associates (2014) SSC 71. The
union relied on the following authorities: Re Global Edmonton, 125 C.L.A.S. 1
(Surdykowski); Re Unimin Canada LTD, 128 C.L.A.S. 93 (Steinberg) Re
Hamilton Kent, 127 C.L.A.S. 314 (Luborsky); Re Islamic Foundation School, 136
C.L.A.S. 66 (Anderson); Re AMAPCEO & the Crown (GSB) 133 C.L.A.S. 236
(Luborsky). Counsel submitted that the principle in Re Blake, which the Board
applies consistently, does not mean that it ought to ignore more recent
developments in the law through the courts. He cited Re Duffy, 2007-2737
(Keller); Re Lariviere, 2002-2124 (Dissanayake); Re Johnson, 2009-1147
(Dissanayake).
[64] Union counsel relied on the decision of the Supreme Court of Canada in Bhasin
v. Harynew 2014 S.C.C. 71 (“Bhasin”) which recognized a duty of good faith
generally, and a common law duty to act honestly in the performance of
contractual obligations. Counsel pointed out that arbitrators have applied these
principles to review exercise of management rights in arbitration. Re Global
Edmonton, (2015) 263 L.A.C. (4th ) 363 (Sims); Re Bell Canada, (2016) 127
C.L.A.S. 1 (Surdykowski); Re Unimin Canada (2016) 271 L.A.C.S. 314
(Luborsky). He submitted that based on the principles developed in Bhasin, the
Board has jurisdiction over grievances filed by the grievor, even where there is
no specific provision in the collective agreement alleged to have been violated.
[65] Union counsel agreed that an employee cannot file grievances on behalf of
others. However, in these grievances and the particulars, the grievor claims that
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the rights of all employees were violated. That includes the grievor. Citing Re
May, 2001-1151, (Abramsky) and Re Hawley, 1988-2592 (Dissanayake),
counsel. submitted that as long as the grievor’s rights are affected, she is entitled
to file an individual grievance. However, if the grievance is successful, any
remedy ordered will be restricted to the grievor. Re Taylor-Baptists, 469/88
(Dissanayake).
[66] On motions alleging mootness, counsel did not dispute the legal principle in
decisions such as Borosky (supra) and Re Mohamed (supra) that a grievance is
moot if a live controversy no longer exists. However, he pointed out that in these
grievances, there is no suggestion that the employer ever conceded that it
contravened any right of the grievor or that she was provided any remedy.
Counsel referred to Re York University, (2010) 199 (L.A.C. (4th ) Slotnick), where
the arbitrator concluded that Borowski clarified the law on the mootness issue
and that arbitration awards that pre-date it is not of much assistance. At pages
242-243 he wrote:
It is also worth remembering Borowski’s two-step analysis, giving
discretion to proceed even if the concrete dispute has disappeared.
Generally in labour relations, in my view, it must be left to the parties
themselves to determine when there is a dispute. Aside from
circumstances where the grievance ha, in fact, been settled, one party
cannot simply declare that a dispute is over, no should be arbitrator
decline to hear the case where there are still potential remedies that have
not been granted, or where here may be differing interpretations of the
collective agreement that have wider application than to the individual
grievor’s situation. In many cases, a change in circumstances may cause
the union to withdraw the grievance, but the decision to proceed is
generally a decision for the union, not the arbitrator.
Here, the grievance has not been settled. The employer, as is its right,
has not said anything to indicate it believes the collective agreement was
violated, nor has it agreed formally that the grievor met the qualifications
at the time of the grievance. While the changed circumstances since the
filing of the grievance mean that at least one potential remedy – deemed
incumbency – is no longer in issue, other remedies are requested in the
grievance but have not been granted. Furthermore, the union has raised
a number of clauses in the collective agreement that may be subject to
interpretation I the case proceeds. It would be premature for me to
discuss these at this stage. A hearing of this grievance may not
necessarily result in any definitive agreement that may be subject
interpretation if the case proceeds. It would be premature for me to
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discuss these at this state. A hearing of this grievance may not
necessarily result in any definitive statements about the training clauses
or whether meeting the qualifications for the classroom version of the
course automatically means an applicant meets the qualifications for the
internet version of the same course. However, on a plain reading of
Article 12.17.4 there is at least an argument that this grievor is entitled to
a financial and possibly other remedies in these circumstances,
notwithstanding any other provisions of the collective agreement,
including the cap. Certainly the university disagrees with the union on
this point, but that is a matter for the hearing if it proceeds. However, the
simple fact that potential remedies still exist leads me to the conclusion
that this situation meets the “live controversy” test.
[67] Counsel submitted that if the Board finds any violations, even if all remedies
sought are moot or not available, as long as there is potential that some
remedies may be available to the grievor the grievance still has a live
controversy.
[68] On the timeliness motions with respect to grievances 32 to 36 union counsel
conceded that the union has no reasons or explanations for the delay in referral
to arbitration, and that referrals were significantly delayed. He informed the
Board that the union will not be arguing that the employer had waived the right
to rely on timelines for referral to arbitration in article 22.6. Its position was that
the Board should exercise its discretion to extend the time limits in the particular
circumstances of grievances 32 to 36.
[69] There was no dispute between the parties that the Board has the discretionary
jurisdiction to extend time limits under arbitral law generally, and specifically
under article 22.14.7 of the collective agreement. The disagreement was as to
whether the Board should exercise that jurisdiction in these grievances. Both
parties relied on the awards in Becker Milk (supra) and Greater Niagara
Hospital. The union pointed to the reference in article 22. 14. 7 to absence of
substantial prejudice. Counsel submitted that if the employer does not establish
that the substantial prejudice as a result of delay in referral of these grievances
the Board ought to extend the limits regardless of the other factors, including the
length of the delays. He referred to the Becker Milk and Greater Niagara
decisions as the “seminal authorities on the subject, and submitted that they are
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consistent with the court decision in Blouin Drywall, which stands for the
proposition that grievances ought not be dismissed on technical grounds. He
agreed that the employer has presented some arbitration awards that have held
that existence of substantial prejudice is not always necessary for an arbitrator
to refuse to extend time. He submitted, however, that those awards are contrary
to the seminal cases he relies on.
[70] Counsel submitted that the theory of the grievances is that the employer had
engaged in a pattern of harassing and bullying, which resulted in a poisoned
work environment for the grievor. The grievor had just returned to work after a
period of stress leave. Yet the employer took no action to address her repeated
complaints. The employer has admitted that YSO D’Orazio had “ done it” before.
So the employer was aware of that. Also, Ms. Brouillette, instead of dealing
with D’Orazio’s misconduct repeatedly asked the grievor to “cope” and seek
assistance from EAP and get medical treatment. She kept asking the grievor if
she was “OK”. YSM Thomas yelled at her about the Health Productivity
meeting. The grievor was asked to write an Occurrence Report about who she
was talking to outside during a smoke break. YSM Burke again allowed
D’Orazio to harass the grievor. It was submitted that the facts, deemed to be
true, have the potential to support a breach.
[71] Counsel pointed out that employer counsel had referred several times to
evidence the employer has in its possession, which she submitted would
disprove what the particulars assert. Citing Re Taylor (supra) counsel submitted
that availability of a defense for the employer is not relevant in determining a no
prima facie case motion. That is a matter to be dealt with at the hearing on the
merits of a grievance.
[72] Counsel submitted that the asserted facts about what the employer did, through
YSMs Brouillette, Thomas and Burke are directly related to the grievor’s
disability. The grievor has stated that the employer’s conduct increased her
anxiety and stress level. Citing Re Pereira, (supra), counsel submitted that it is
not necessary to show actual injury in defending against these motions. The
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particulars assert that the employer conduct in fact impacted her health
negatively.
[73] Counsel submitted that the decisions in Borowski and Re Mohamed are
distinguishable. There the employer had granted the remedy requested, and no
other remedy was available. Re Mohamed, the grievance was only about the
termination of the grievor, who had since been reinstated. There were no other
issues of harassment, bullying or human rights violations. In these grievances
the allegations of harassment, bullying, discrimination etc. have not been
addressed. The grievor’s WDHP complaint had been found out of scope. The
employer had denied all violations alleged and continues to do so. The grievor
has challenged the WSHP’s finding. Therefore, a live controversy still exists.
Citing Re York University (supra) he argued that the grievor, if successful, is
entitled to damages or at least a declaratory remedy. Therefore the grievances
are not moot.
[74] Counsel submitted that despite the filing of grievances 1 and 2 nothing was
done. The grievor continued to be harassed, bullied and discriminated against.
In response she filed grievances 3 and 4 on April 7, 2016. Referring to the
particulars, he pointed out that the employer decided to schedule the grievor
with YSO D’Orazio, relying on the “out of scope” WDHP finding. The grievor
told several managers that she did not feel safe working with D’Orazio, but the
employer ignored her pleas. The grievor was so upset that she had to pull over
for over half an hour while driving home from work, because of her elevated level
of stress and anxiety.
[75] Counsel referred to particulars including that the grievor became very anxious
just by seeing D’Orazio; that when she felt ill at work and wanted to go home,
employer made her wait with D’Orazio until a YSO arrived to relieve her. She
saw her doctor who put her off work. After she returned, she was again assigned
to work with D’Orazio.
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[76] Counsel pointed to facts, which he submitted shows that when the grievor
enforced the policy on use of MP3 players by youth, no action was taken against
youth who had violated the policy. Instead, the grievor was ordered to do an
OR about her concern and she was pulled from a training session so she could
write it. He also pointed out that the employer took no action when she brought
to its attention many other incidents of inappropriate behavior by youth. This
caused the grievor to go on sick leave from March 30 to September 16, 2016.
[77] Counsel submitted that the events particularized if seen in isolation may not
come within the definitions of harassment or bullying. However, the number of
continuing events taken together is potentially sufficient to support the
grievances. The grievor, therefore, is justified in describing that the grievances
are about “the employer’s inability to deal with ongoing harassment”. The theory
of the grievance is the ongoing harassment by exposing the grievor to an unsafe
work environment despite her repeated complaints that she felt unsafe. It
resulted in the grievor having to go off work on sick leave. Counsel reminded
that the test is not whether the asserted facts establish a breach, but whether
they may potentially do so. With regard to the mootness motion, counsel relied
on his submissions on grievances 1 and 2.
[78] On grievance 5, counsel submitted that the theory of the grievance is that the
employer refused to allow the grievor to return to work following an extended
period of sick leave, despite the fact that the insurance carrier Manulife had
cleared her to resume work on June 19, 2018. When she reported to work, she
was told by Mr. Erwin that she was not allowed to be in the facility. When she
tried to explain, she was escorted out by a manager. She was confused why
she was being treated like that and felt intimidated and bullied by Mr. Erwin.
[79] Counsel submitted that those facts could potentially support a breach of articles
2, 3 and 9, and that there was a failure to accommodate, Code based and
personal harassment. Counsel submitted hat if the employer has evidence as
it claims that Manulife had not cleared the grievor to return to work or that it had
good reasons for not allowing the grievor to return to work at that time, it will be
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open to it to adduce that evidence at the hearing on the merits.
[80] On mootness, counsel pointed out that the grievor should have been returned
to work on June 19, 2018, but was not allowed until September. Since LTIP
benefits are less than wages, the grievor would have lost financially. Besides,
if upheld the grievor may be entitled to damages. Citing York University, he
submitted that since the employer has not admitted any violation, no remedy
had been provided, and the grievance was not settled, there are live
controversies that have not been addressed. The grievance, therefore, is not
moot.
[81] Counsel pointed out that grievance 6 alleges harassment and discrimination and
cites articles 2, 3 and 9, WDHP Human Rights Code as well as policies and
procedures. Counsel stated that the facts are very simple. Employer counsel
had agreed that since the grievor had been off from March 2016 to September
2018, she was required to do a training session. There is also no dispute that
the grievor attended the training and was entitled to wages for that time. The
grievance alleges that she was not paid for the time she attended the training.
The employer takes the position that she was paid appropriately. That is a
factual dispute. The employer has all the information it needs to be able to
defend its position at a hearing on the merits. Any evidence the employer has
cannot be presented at this stage. The facts asserted by the grievor meets the
test and the no prima facia case motion must be dismissed.
[82] On Mootness, counsel submitted that whether the grievor was paid or not is still
a live dispute between the parties and therefore, the grievance is not moot.
[83] Counsel dealt with grievances 7, 8, and 9 together and described them as “a
reach back” to the prior grievances. Counsel reviewed the various periods
during which the grievor was off on LTIP or WSIB benefits and submitted that
these grievances were again a plea to the employer to deal with her prior
grievances, including those related to harassment by YSO D’Orazio, which had
caused her significant health issues, but not addressed Counsel submitted that
the theory in these grievances is that the employer had still not addressed the
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harassment, bullying and discrimination she had grieved about. Counsel
submitted that it is a reasonable theory, and the Board should dismiss the no
prima facie case motion.
[84] Counsel disagreed with employer counsel’s submission that these grievances
are not arbitrable because there are no facts to support them. He submitted that
the facts are the same facts the grievor relied on with respect to her earlier
grievances.
[85] Union counsel also addressed these grievances together as a group. He
pointed out that the grievor returned to work on a gradual basis in July having
been off on WSIB benefits from February 2019. When she returned in July 2020
she worked in maintenance and in September 2020 started as a YSO
“shadowing” with restrictions. Then in November 2020 she started duties as a
YSO, still with some restrictions. Counsel stated that on May 24th , she was
assaulted by a youth with a punch on her head. She fell and hit her head on the
floor. This put her off on WSIB again. She returned to work on July 19, 2021
with restrictions including no contact with youth. However, on November 23,
2021 she was again assaulted by a youth and was put off on WSIB. She had
not returned to work since then. She was medically found to be unable to do
her pre-injury YSO job.
[86] Counsel submitted that the foregoing facts form the “context” for the 18
grievances she filed on September 19, 2021 including the group still before the
Board. He stated that in these grievances she was asking the employer to do a
number of things, including take her health and safety complaints seriously, to
cease the harassment she was being subjected to at work, and to follow its own
rules in relation to management of youth, and ensure that all employees also do
the same.
[87] Counsel submitted that this group of grievances are about health and safety,
alleging that the employer had breached article 9 by failing to take reasonable
precautions to provide the grievor with a safe workplace. Counsel stated that
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the grievor has alleged that the MP3 songs the youth wee accessing contained
inappropriate content which encourage violence, and were offensive to women.
The employer was allowing that in contravention of its own policy on personal
use of the employer’s IT program. It is a misuse of that program. Counsel
reviewed the particulars setting out facts on the MP3 issue.
[88] Counsel submitted that while the grievor was enforcing the prohibiting personal
use of MP 3 players by youth in the facility, other YSOs and even management
were not. Counsel pointed out that employer counsel had asserted that the
youth are very volatile and tend to misbehave often. Therefore, it is not
surprising that they would mistreat the grievor for being strict on enforcing the
rules on use of MP3 players. He submitted that there is in fact clear evidence
that the grievor was targeted, since she was assaulted twice by youth.
[89] Union counsel submitted that these facts constitute support to establish a prima
facia of violation of article 9. He also relied on the case law he had reviewed
and submitted that the motions to the effect that the grievances are not arbitrable
and improperly filed as individual grievances have no merit and ought to be
dismissed.
Employer Reply
[90] Counsel pointed out that although union counsel stated that all of the
harassment grievances were triggered by the incidents involving YSO D’Orazio,
the examples counsel presented about why the grievor became fearful, scared
and depressed etc. happened months after that incident. Therefore, that
incident could not be the reason the grievor went off sick for an extended period.
In any event, the particulars show that the employer took steps to separate
D’Orazio and the grievor.
[91] Counsel submitted that although grievance 3 alleges that the grievor was
disciplined, there are no particulars to support that.
[92] With regard to grievance 5, employer counsel pointed out that the grievance was
filed in 2018. She submitted that the Manulife documents make it clear that the
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grievor was on LTIP until September 2018, and was not cleared to return to work
until October 2018. Relying on Re Martin, (Anderson) supra, counsel submitted
that “it is not believable” she was cleared to return any earlier.
[93] On grievance 6, counsel submitted that while the grievor states that she was not
paid for 32 hours for time she attended a training session, there are no
particulars as to when or how she earned 32 hours of pay. Therefore, there are
no facts to support the alleged violation, and the no prima facia case motion
should be upheld.
[94] Counsel pointed out that although grievances 7, 8 and 9 were filed on the same
day, they raise different issues. Also, they were filed at a time the grievor was
off on WSIB. Union counsel explained that these grievances “reach back” to
previously filed grievances because the violations were continuing. There must
be particulars for the subsequent grievances that show how the violations
continued. None has been set out. Employer counsel argued that these
grievances also allege that the employer failed to follow its own policies but no
particulars are provided as to how her collective agreement or statutory rights
were impacted as a result of that.
[95] Counsel next turned to the group of grievances 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17 and
25, still before the Board from the 18 the grievor had filed on September 19,
2021. Counsel submitted that although union counsel suggested that in May
2021 the grievor was targeted and attacked by a youth because she enforced
policy on use of MP3 players, the particulars show that was not the case. There
was a fight between two youths during which one was punching the other. When
the grievor and others got between the two to break it up the grievor was
accidentally hit on the head by a punch. The grievor was not targeted and
intentionally punched at all.
[96] With respect to grievance 10, counsel submitted that the allegation is that the
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employer’s failure to follow the policy on MP3 players put the grievor at risk.
That was the union’s theory with respect to all grievances, alleging that the
employer failed to enforce policies when dealing with youth. Citing Re Couture
(supra) and Re Pereira (supra), counsel submitted that no facts are provided to
support that theory. Counsel also repeated that in the absence of facts which
seen objectively show any threat to the grievor’s health and safety due to the
non -compliance with the MP3 policy, the grievance is inarbitrable.
[97] Counsel submitted that grievance 11 alleges that the employer’s failure to deal
with the grievor’s concerns about the content of the MP3 players the youth had
access to, amounted to failure to ensure that her workplace was free of
harassment and threats. However, the particulars are only about the grievor’s
subjective fears and conclusions that the songs and lyrics in the songs youth
were listening to pose a threat to her health and safety. While is not necessary
to show facts of actual harm, there has to be objective facts that have the
potential to support that. The union has no such objective facts. Therefore there
is no prima facia case.
[98] Counsel submitted that grievance 11 only shows that the grievor disagrees with
how the employer applies the MP3 policy. Whenever she does not agree with
what the employer was doing, she filed a grievance. Grievances not supported
by facts objectively establishing a potential of impacting her healthy safety rights
are not arbitrable.
[99] Grievance 12 alleges that when the grievor brought to Mr. Erwin’s attention her
concern about the inappropriate content of MP3 songs, he promised that the
MP3 player which she had confiscated from the youth will not be returned to the
youth. However, another member of management told her that it was returned
to the youth with some songs deleted. Counsel again stated that there are no
facts particularized to show objectively that content of songs on MP3 player in
anyway impacted on the grievor’s health and safety rights, or even caused
youths to become violent or misbehave.
-31 -
[100] It is also alleged that Mr. Erwin called her a liar, questioned her motives when
she filed grievances and reports and raised concerns for her health and safety.
The grievor asserts that Mr. Erwin was mocking her complaints. She “believes
that she was mistreated in this manner. It created and contributed to a poisoned
work environment”. Counsel submitted that these facts only show that Mr. Erwin
was frustrated with the grievor repeatedly complaining and raising objections to
how the employer was handling youths. This was one occasion when Mr. Erwin
was very frustrated and reacted. The facts do not amount to harassment or a
violation of article 9.
[101] In grievance 14 YSM Brouillette’s conduct on September 13, 2021 is alleged to
have contravened articles 2, 3, and 9 by requesting an OR and by not sending
a YSO to relieve her at the time she requested. Counsel submitted that while
the grievor has labelled YSM Brouillette’s conduct as harassment and
discrimination, labels are not what matters. The facts do not establish a prima
facia case. (Re Nedai, supra)
[102] Counsel stated that grievance 15 has two aspects. First it has a general
allegation that the employer’s failure to respect policies and procedures with
respect to a respectable workplace significantly affects the grievor’s health and
impacts the health and well being of other staff and youth. There are no
particulars at all about this aspect. Union counsel had submitted that despite
this, the Board should read this grievance along with particulars filed for all of
the other grievances and take an “overall” view. Employer counsel submitted
that particulars filed for other grievances cannot make a grievance otherwise
inarbitrable, a viable grievance. In the absence of facts to support the allegation
this aspect of grievance 15, prima facia case has not been made out and the
grievance is inarbitrable.
[103] Counsel stated that the second aspect of grievance 15 is that a youth had told
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the grievor that a YSM told him that “sometimes fights need to happen so people
learn”. Counsel submitted that the grievor has turned this comment about fights
between youth into a threat on her health and safety, and claims that as a result
she became extremely scared. Counsel pointed out that union counsel
attempted to link this alleged hearsay comment to the fight between two youths
in May 2021, during which the grievor was accidentally punched in the head.
That incident happened 6 months earlier and could not have anything to do with
this grievance. Employer counsel submitted that there are no facts to show that
the YSM’s statement to youth could have any impact on the grievor’s health and
safety. Therefore, there is no prima facia case.
[104] Employer counsel submitted that in grievance 16 the grievor continues to
complain that various managers made aware of her concerns that the MP3
players youth had contained material encouraging criminal behavior, offensive
and extremely inappropriate language towards women, racial slurs and sexually
explicit lyrics, but no steps were taken to address her concerns. It is alleged
that the employer instead was discriminating and harassing her for raising her
concerns. Employer counsel submitted that despite union counsel’s attempt to
again rely on particulars generally, this grievance also lacks facts that the
manner the employer dealt with MP3 players posed any threat to the grievor’s
health and safety or that she was harassed or discriminated against for raising
her concerns. What it does is highlight how the grievor reacts when the
employer does not exercise its management rights the way she wants , and that
she is subjectively so sensitive and fearful about issues that pose no threat to
her. She submitted that while the union relied on Bhasin, the GSB has
recognized that there are limits to the application of the principle in that court
decision. It was submitted that the employer’s no prima facia case motion
should be upheld.
[105] Counsel referred the Board back to her submissions that the only facts
presented are about the way the employer dealt with youth and their medicines.
It has nothing to do with the grievor, and definitely is not an abuse of
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management rights amounting to harassment or discrimination against her. It
was submitted that there is no prima facia case.
[106] On grievance 25, employer counsel submitted that this grievance filed in 2021
alleges that contrary to what the grievor had been told during training back in
2018 that YSOs never work alone and always there are to staff with youth, staff
at Cecil Facer constantly work alone and thereby the safety of staff is
jeopardized daily. Counsel referred to the staffing policy document which
stipulates a ratio of one YSO to 18 youth.
[107] Counsel submitted that in any event, there must be facts which support an
objective concern that the grievor’s safety is jeopardized. The only fact asserted
is that she was once left alone with one youth on an unspecified date and for an
unspecified period. This assertion does not meet the test for prima facie cases
established in the Board jurisprudence.
[108] Counsel stated that the allegation in grievance 30 is to the effect that article 2
management rights were abused by the employer’s failure to inform her that the
expiry date of the Antigen Rapid Covid tests she had been provided had been
extended by the manufacturer thereby causing her “unnecessary stress”.
Counsel pointed out that the union has agreed that an email was sent out to all
staff informing of the extension and that the email address of the grievor on it
was correct. While union counsel suggested that the grievor may not have seen
that email, there were no particulars with respect to this grievance. This,
submitted counsel, is another case where the grievor files a grievance whenever
she is not happy. Counsel referred to her submissions that there is no prima
facia case.
[109] In replying to the union’s submissions on grievances 31 to 36, counsel
acknowledged that grievance 31 alleges violations of articles 3 and 9 and there
is a “hook” to the collective agreement. However, she repeated her view of
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Bashin with respect to grievances 32 to 36 which only cites article 2, that Bashin
does not mean that an arbitrator has jurisdiction over any employment related
dispute. The principle that was set out in Bashin, as interpreted by most
arbitrators, is that the dispute must explicitly, or at least inferentially, engage a
right arising out of the collective agreement and legislation.
[110] Counsel submitted that in any event, the Board should not exercise its discretion
to extend the time limit for referring grievances 32 to 36 to arbitration. She
disagreed with the union counsel’s position that whether there was substantial
prejudice to the employer comes into play only if the Board had first concluded
that the factors in the Becker Milk and Greater Niagara favor extension. She
submitted that in any event, the application of the factors in these grievances,
particularly the length of the delay and the absence of any explanation or reason
for the delay, should lead the Board to conclude that time limits should not be
extended.
[111] In re-reply counsel submitted that the Bashin decision of the Supreme Court of
Canda and arbitration awards that followed, disposed of any debate that may
have previously existed. The Court clearly held that the principle of good faith
applies in arbitration proceedings. The current law is that the union no longer
needs a hook to the collective agreement for a grievance to be arbitrable.
[112] Employer counsel finally referred to the last sentence in article 2 which reads:
“It is agreed that these rights are subject only to the provisions of this
collective agreement and any other collective agreement to which the parties
are subject”. She submitted that this specific management rights clause
clearly indicates that the parties intended that the management’s rights are
subject only to any restriction in a collective agreement.
DECISION
[113] Having carefully considered the law and the extensive submissions of counsel,
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the Board had determined the motions in the same sequence and groups as
they were addressed by counsel.
[114] In determining the no prima facie case motions, the Board has applied two
important legal principles. First, that facts asserted by the grievor are deemed
to be true, and second, to successfully defend against such motions, the grievor
is not required to prove the violations alleged. She only has to establish that the
facts asserted have the potential of supporting the violations alleged. Whether
a breach is proven on a balance of probabilities has to be determined after all of
the evidence and submissions of the parties, including any remedial issues, are
received at a hearing on the merits.
[115] Employer counsel asserted additional facts on many occasions about what
others, including managers, did or did not do, or why they did what they did to
explain or defend the alleged employer action the facts asserted by the grievor.
It will be open to the employer to put in that evidence, if the issue foes to a
hearing on the merits. That evidence is not relevant at this state of the
proceeding.
[116] The union’s particulars for grievances were not set out separately for each of
the grievances. Therefore, its particulars for the grievances, including those
subsequently withdrawn, are attached to this decision as Appendix A. The union
particulars for grievances 31 to 36 which were filed subsequently are attached
as Appendix B.
[117] The decision in Re Solomon-Smith et al, 2017-0054 (Anderson) is very
instructive. The following paragraphs assist in considering many of the
particulars provided to support grievances, which the employer argues, do not
support a prima facie case.
14. Whether Code based or not, harassment or bullying is concerned with
conduct, comment or other action. The question is not whether a
complainant believed she was the subject of bullying or harassment. The
question is whether a reasonable person, informed of all relevant facts,
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would conclude the impugned behavior would constitute harassment or
bullying if the perpetrator knew or ought reasonably to have known that
it was unwelcome: Grievor at para. 48; Cara Operations Ltd. at para. 17
- 20; and Kinark Child & Family Services, Syl Apps Youth Centre v.
Ontario Public Service Employees Union, Local 213, 2012 CanLII 97669
(On LA) (Marcotte) pp. 15-17. See also Gauntlett at paras. 18 - 20,
holding that statements of belief by the grievor and others as to the
motivations of members of management were to be given no weight on
a non-suit motion.
15. The Union argues the objective test must be applied from the
perspective of a person in the position of the Grievor. I do not find this
embellishment of the test useful. On the one hand, the reference to
“perspective” suggests the subjective view of the Grievor is relevant at
the stage of determining whether or not bullying or harassment has
occurred. It is not. On the other, the need to consider the “position of the
Grievor” is captured by the requirement to consider all relevant facts. For
example, in this case I have borne in mind the fact the Grievor is of the
Jewish faith in assessing whether comments about Yom Kippur and
Hanukah constituted bullying, harassment or discrimination.
[118] The need to assess whether conduct amounts to harassment or bullying, code
based or not, objectively, has also been accepted by this Board in Re Cross et
al (Misra) cited by arbitrator Anderson in Re Solomon-Smith (supra) at para 46
of the Re Cross et al decision. Arbitrator Misra wrote:
The arbitrator in [UFCW Local 1518 v. 55369 BC Ltd., 2007 Carswell BC
3880 (D.L. Larson)] noted that harassment normally involves an element
of persistent conduct or a course of activities that involves hostility,
importuning, badgering, intimidation or bullying that causes a person
distress that is inimical to a safe and positive work environment (para.
31). The exercise of normal management rights does not excuse
harassment, and giving directions, evaluating performance and
disciplining employees should not be considered harassment in the
normal course of events provided that such activities are not carried out
in a manner that is abusive, demeaning or hostile, and has a legitimate
workplace purpose (para. 33). Not every employment bruise” should be
treated as harassment, and Arbitrator Larson noted that it would be
unfortunate if a harassment process was “used to vent feelings of minor
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discontent or general unhappiness with life in the workplace, so as to
trivialize those cases where substantial workplace abuses have
occurred” (para. 34) (underlining added)
[119] The Board agrees with the question set out in Re Solomon-Smith at para. 14
that is, “whether a reasonable person, informed of all relevant facts, would
conclude the impugned behaviour would constitute harassment or bullying, if
the perpetrator knew or ought reasonably to have known that it was
unwelcome.” That is an appropriate objective test to apply in a no prima facia
case or non-suit motion against a grievance alleging harassment and/or
bullying.
[120] Having regard to the foregoing principles and law established in arbitral
jurisprudence, the facts asserted in the grievance forms and the union
particulars filed, the law as well as the submission of counsel, the Board turns
to the grievances before it.
Grievance 1
[121] The Board accepts for purposes of the no prima facia case motion that the
grievor may have felt bullied, harassed and targeted, as asserted by her, as a
result of her exchanges with the managers described in the particulars.
However, those assertions, objective seen, are not capable of supporting the
violations asserted. The assertion in paragraph 37 of the particulars is that Ms.
Naumenko “started shouting at the grievor”, that she was supposed to be in
her office and not at a clinical meeting. Assuming that to be true, that cannot
constitute bullying or harassment. There is no information about what Ms.
Naumenko shouted. There is no assertion that any abusive or inappropriate
language was used. There is no pattern of conduct established either.
Similarly, repeated inquiry by Ms. Brouillette about whether the grievor was
“okay” and coping, and suggesting she take time off or seek assistance from
EAP, are more consistent with empathy on her part than an intent to harass
her.
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[122] For those reasons, the Board concludes that grievance 1 does not establish a
prima facia case and is dismissed.
Grievance 2
[123] In contrast, the particulars for grievance 2 assert repeated use of aggressive
verbal abuse, including profanity directed at the grievor by YSO D’Orazio. It is
asserted that several managers were aware of that. In fact, the grievor
informed management that she did not feel safe around YSO D’Orazio. An
explanation is warranted as to why the employer ignored her repeated pleas.
The facts are potentially capable of establishing that the employer failed in its
obligations under articles 3 and 9, to provide the grievor a safe working
environment free of harassment and bullying. The no prima facia case motion
on grievance 2 is denied.
[124] The Board also denies the employer’s mootness motion. The principle in
Borowski is not in dispute. However, even if the Board may not be in a position
to order that the grievor be returned to work, that does not make the grievance
itself moot. I agree with union counsel, that if violations are found, the union
may be entitled to seek other remedies including a declaration and damages.
Unlike in Re Problate (supra) and Re Mohamed (supra), the employer here
has not admitted any wrong doing on its part. Nor has it provided any remedy
to the grievor. Therefore, a live issue still exists.
[125] Therefore, the Board remains seized with grievance 2.
Grievance 3
[126] In addition to articles 2, 3 and 9 of the collective agreement and “WDHP,
Human Rights, violence and bullying”, grievance 3 alleges a violation of article
COR 7.1, which provides “The present practice for rest periods in each shift
shall be maintained”.
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[127] I agree with employer counsel that there are no facts particularized as to what
the employer did or failed to do, to potentially violate any of the collective
agreement provisions or legislation. Union counsel submitted that this
grievance was filed due to the employer’s failure to remedy grievance 2
previously filed with respect to the alleged incidents involving YSO D’Orazio.
However, the failure to remedy a grievance which the employer has
challenged, and had been referred to arbitration cannot by itself constitute an
independent violation which is grievable.
[128] The Board determines that the no prima facie motion is upheld and grievance
3 is hereby dismissed.
Grievance 4
[129] In response to the employer’s no prima facia case motion, union counsel
submitted that this grievance was filed because the employer had not
responded to the grievor’s pleas that she did not feel safe working with YSO
D’Orazio. She was put off work from March 30 to September 16, 2016, by her
doctor because she was so anxious and fearful. That state of mind was directly
linked to the harassment and bullying she continued to face at work despite
her WDHP complaint and grievances. Also, the employer took no action when
she brought incidents of misbehaviour by youth. This also negatively impacted
her mental health.
[130] The grievor has filed grievances with regard to the YSO D’Orazio incidents, as
well as about her concerns about the employer’s failure to conform to policies
with regard to youth behaviour. These grievances have been referred to
arbitration by the Union. For the same reasons as in grievance 3, failure to
remedy grievances filed and are before the Board for arbitration cannot be a
basis to file and have the Board arbitrate another independent grievance
alleging a continuation of the alleged violation. If such grievances are found to
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be arbitrable, it would allow an employee who had filed a grievance to file new
grievances every day until the Board finally disposes of the previous
grievances. When the Board decides the initial grievance, if it is upheld, how
long the violation continued, and the resulting impact/posses may be raised by
the union at the remedy phase of the hearing.
[131] For the same reasons as in grievance 3, grievance 4 is also dismissed on the
grounds that it does not establish a prima facia case for the violations alleged.
Grievance 5
[132] The primary allegation is one of failure to accommodate the grievor who had
been cleared to return to work by her doctor as well as the insurance company.
It is alleged that the employer not only refused to allow her to return to work
but she was escorted out of the facility in a rude manner by a manager, which
the grievor claims intimidated her. Employer counsel submitted that these
alleged facts were “not enough” to constitute a prima facie case.
[133] Employer counsel argued, in the alternative, that since the grievor had been
medically found to be permanently unable to work in a detention facility, and
because Cecil Facer was to close down in about one year, the grievance was
moot.
[134] Union counsel rebutted, stating that the asserted facts could potentially support
violations of articles 2, 3 and 9 by the employer’s refusal to accommodate the
grievor and by subjecting her to code based and/or persona harassment.
[135] Union counsel relied on the following paragraphs of the union’s particulars:
194. The grievor had seen an occupational therapist for
approximately two months prior to attending work on June 19. A return
to work plan approved by Manulife had the grievor returning to work
on June 19. ON June 19, the grievor presented at work at went
approximately 06:55 hours. At approximately 0705 hours the grievor
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was told by YSM Ron Erwin that she was not allowed to be there and
had to leave.
195. The grievor was extremely confused and questioned Mr. Erwin
as to why she had to leave, and told him that June 19 was supposed
to be my first day back to work. The grievor felt intimidated and bullied.
Again Mr. Erwin told the grievor that she was not allowed to be there
and told her she had to leave, He told her if I had any questions to call
Manulife or to call Derek Goudreau after 0800 hours.
196. The grievor was extremely depressed leaving the institution. She
did not know what was going on and could not call Manulife or her
doctor until they opened. She was escorted by YSM Ron Erwin to the
front door and left the institution.
197. She filed a grievance dated July 19, 2018, in response to this
incident, alleging that the Employer by failing to permit her to return
to work, and failing to accept her medical information, was in breach
of the Ontario Human Rights Code as well as articles 2, 3 and 9 of
the Collective Agreement.
[136] The Board is of the view that the asserted facts meet the test for a prima facia
violation of both failure to accommodate and harassment/bullying. Also, if
successful on either count, the grievor could be entitled to remedies, even if
she may not be ordered back to work. There is still a live issue, as explained
above in the decision, and the grievance is not moot.
[137] The Board so finds, and remains seized of grievance 5.
Grievance 6
[138] Employer counsel submitted that this grievance does not support any violation
of articles 2, 3 or 9, There are no facts asserted as to who discriminated or
harassed/bullied her or when that was. She also submitted that there are no
details about alleged non-payment of wages for attending a refresher training.
Counsel proceeded to submit that documentation and pay records will
establish that the grievor was in fact paid for attending the training, a sum
greater than that claimed in the grievance. Therefore, there is no live issue,
and the grievance is moot.
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[139] Union counsel’s rebuttal was limited to the mootness motion. He submitted
that by claiming that the grievor had been paid for the training session, it has
in effect agreed that the grievor attended the training and was entitled to
wages. There is, however, a disagreement as to whether the grievor was paid
or not. He did not point to any particulars relating to discrimination, harassment
or bullying for the time she spent attending the training. He submitted that if a
factual dispute exists a grievance is not moot.
[140] There are two issues raised in grievance 6, - discrimination, harassment,
bullying and a claim for unpaid wages. There are no specific facts that could
be seen as discriminatory or harassing/bullying. It is simply not possible to
conclude that a failure to pay wages for a training session, ipso facto
constitutes discrimination, harassment or bullying, even if the allegation is
viewed in the overall context of all grievances. Therefore, the Board finds that
the grievor has not asserted facts to support a discrimination, harassment or
bullying on even a prima facia basis. That aspect of the grievance is therefore
dismissed.
[141] However, I agree with union counsel that the grievor has provided sufficient
factual information to enable the employer to defend itself against the claim for
unpaid wages. The grievance form itself sets out the dates when the grievor
attended the training, who the trainer was, and the amount of the unpaid
wages. As union counsel pointed out, by claiming that the grievor was
appropriately paid wages, the employer has admitted that she attended and
was entitled to wages. The dispute is as to whether grievor was appropriately
paid.
[142] I also agree with union counsel that the existence of a factual dispute does not
make the grievance itself moot. It will be open to the employer to present
evidence to establish that the grievance has no merit, when it goes to a hearing
on the grievor’s claim.
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[143] It follows from the above that the claim of discrimination harassment/bullying
in grievance 6 is dismissed for the lack of a prima facia case. The claim for
unpaid wages is supported by the asserted facts and establishes a prima facie
case. The Board remains seized of that aspect of grievance 6.
Grievance 7, 8 and 9
[144] These three grievances were filed on March 29, 2019, and both counsels dealt
with them together. Employer counsel pointed out that there are no facts
asserted that could possibly establish abuse of management rights,
discrimination, harassment or bullying as alleged in all three grievances. There
are no particulars as to who did what and when to target the grievor and
“revictimize” her as alleged in grievance 8. Similarly there are no facts with
respect to grievances 9 as to how the employer failed to respect “policies and
procedures related to a respectful workplace”. The policies and procedures in
question are not even identified. Employer counsel urged the Board to uphold
the employer’s no prima facia case motions on each of the three grievances
and dismiss them.
[145] Union counsel described grievances 7, 8 and 9 as “a reach back to the
previous grievances the grievor had filed”, which the employer had not
addressed. He stated that the grievor filed these grievances while off work
with health issues as a plea to the employer to deal with her prior grievances,
including the harassment and bullying by YSO D’Orazio which caused her
significant health issues. Counsel submitted that this plea is a reasonable
theory, and the acts are the same as those in the grievances the grievor had
filed which remained unresolved. He argued that the Board should dismiss the
no prima faci case motions brought against all three grievances.
[146] As the Board has ruled in previously the fact that grievances filed are
unresolved, but are in the grievance/arbitration process, does not entitle the
grievor not to reach back to those grievances and file additional grievances
with respect to the same facts.
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[147] The Board finds that the grievor has not asserted any facts to support the
allegations in grievances 7, 8 and 9. Therefore, the no prima facie motions are
held. The grievances are not arbitrable and are hereby dismissed.
Grievances 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 25
[148] On March 29, 2019, the grievor filed 18 individual grievances. After the union’s
withdrawal of twelve grievances, the above noted grievances remained. The
union filed the particulars attached hereto as Appendix A, but did not specify
paragraphs that pertain to particular grievances. The particulars were in the
form of a continuous story. The Board can only assume that the union is relying
on paragraphs 198 to 232 in Appendix A to support all of these grievances.
[149] I first turn to grievances 10, 11 and 16, which are based on the grievor’s
allegation that the employer’s failure to comply with its policy on MP3 players
violated article 9. Although grievances are about breach of a policy the union
did not specify what the policy is , or where in such policy is the rule that access
to MP3 players is not allowed to youth.
[150] However, I took liberty of reviewing the books of documents filed by the union
in this proceeding. There were multiple pages with titles of songs (almost all
of them Rap or HIP HOP) with the performers’ names. There is no assertion
of what songs if any, from that list were accessed by youths or why the lyrics
in breach of employer policy. The documents also included lyrics of two songs,
which had the word “bitch” and the “F” word repeatedly. However, there is no
assertion that any youth were listening to those particular songs. Even if the
Board assumes that at least some of the songs youth had access to had
profanity or other offensive lyrics, how does that result in a health and safety
risk to the grievor? In all of her assertions the grievor’s particulars are about
the sexuality, profanity and language offensive to women. There is one
assertion that the songs “encourage criminal behaviour”.
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[151] The Board has no doubt that the grievor genuinely and strongly believes that
such songs are inappropriate for young persons. She would have been upset
and distressed that they had access to it. Even if the Board agrees that such
songs are inappropriate as the grievor believes, the issue to be determined by
the Board is not that. It is whether the employer giving youth access to such
songs contrary to its policy could potentially result in the grievor’s safety being
put at risk at work.
[152] Assuming that facts asserted, as well as additional facts implied to be true, the
Board is led to the conclusion that they do not have the potential of supporting
a prima facia case. The Board does not agree that the two incidents, in May
2021 and November 2021 when the grievor was injured is proof that the song
lyrics had any connection to these injuries. In fact the May incident, even as
described in the particulars, was not an assault on the grievor. The grievor
was accidentally hit when she intervened to break up a fight between two
youths. There are no facts to suggest that there were any assaults or threats,
or violence directed at the grievor that had any connection to the access youth
had to MP 3 players. While the lyrics may have included vulgar and obscene
words, the assertion that they “encouraged violence” is an opinion or
conclusion by the grievor, not objectively supportable.
[153] The particulars also mention youth using abusive language and yelling at
YSO’s including the grievor, although there is no information as to what was
said or when. In any event, there is no dispute that misbehaviour by youths is
something YSOs regularly face. It is part of there job to deal with that. From
all of the particulars, it seems that the grievor’s complaint is that the employer
was not disciplining or taking action against youth who misbehave in that
manner. The employer has decided to be more lenient in handling that
misbehaviour. There is nothing to suggest that the tolerance of abuse and
vulgar language by youth did or has potential to expose the grievor or other
YSOs to greater safety risks than otherwise. It only shows that the grievor and
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management have different opinions on the appropriate way to deal with youth
misconduct.
[154] For all those reasons, the Board concludes that grievances 10, 11 and 16 are
not supported by facts that could potentially establish the violation of the
collective agreement alleged. The grievances are hereby dismissed.
[155] Grievance 14 alleges violations of articles 2, 3 and 9. The asserted facts are
to the effect that a manager sent the grievor an email requesting that she
submit an Occurrence Report, and also that the same manager did not provide
her a break she requested at 1100 hours on September 13, 2021. She got the
break only at 1500 hour There is no information as to what the requested
occurrence report was about, or how that request would be a violation of any
provision of the collective agreement. Similarly, there are no facts as to why
the grievor needed a break at 1100 hours, whether it was an urgency. Nor is
there any suggestion that the collective agreement obliges the employer to
grant breaks upon request by an employee.
[156] The Board concludes that the facts asserted do not, and are not capable of
supporting a prima facia case that any of the cited articles could have been
violated. The employer’s no prima facia case motion is upheld, and grievance
14 is hereby dismissed.
[157] Grievance 15 alleges “harassment and discrimination and states that the
employer’s “failure to respect policies and procedures related to a respectful
workplace “significantly affects the health and well being” of the grievor and
other staff. The policies and procedures alleged to have been not respected
are not identified. Assuming that the grievance refers to the WDHP and the
workplace violence prevention program, there is no indication as to which
provisions in those documents (which formed part of the union’s book of
documents) were not respected, and how.
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[158] More importantly, the only facts asserted to support the allegation is that a
youth reported to her that a manager had told him that “sometimes fights need
to happen, so people can learn”. Apart form the fact that the grievor is relying
on hearsay reported to her by a youth, the comment by the manager is about
fights between youth. It was not an announcement of an official employer
policy, but only a single comment made to one youth. There is no explanation
how it could increase fighting among youth and put the grievor’s health and
safety at risk. In the particulars the comment by the manager to the youth is
described as “a threat” to the grievor. If the grievor felt threatened by the
comment, it is her own subjective reaction. Objectively it cannot be seen as
any threat to the grievor. The employer’s no prima facie motion is upheld and
grievance 15 is hereby dismissed.
[159] Turning to grievance 17, the facts when accepted as true, could only establish
that the employer failed to comply with proper procedure once a youth was
found with Fentanyl, a highly potent opioid, in his system, and had not taken
precautions to ensure that the youth is administered another drug medication
which would have reduced the youth’s craving for drugs. There are no facts to
suggest that those failures posed any risk to the grievor’s health and safety. It
only establishes that the grievor disagreed with how the employer treated the
youth. Assuming that the grievor’s concerns were valid, filing a grievance is
simply not available as a means of addressing that concern. The grievance is
therefore dismissed on the grounds that the asserted facts do not establish a
prima facie case.
[160] Grievance 12 alleges “harassment and discrimination”. It is asserted that Mr.
Erwin failed to have a meeting with the grievor on August 26 “as per ministry
of Labour”, and that another manager “failed to provide her with a safety plan
upon her return to work on September 2021 as discussed in a meeting on
August 26, 2021. It is also asserted that Mr. Erwin yelled at her. Based on the
dates, these are facts asserted in the period the grievor returned to work
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following her period of absence due to the injury she suffered in the May 24,
2021, incident when she was hit by a youth.
[161] Although union counsel did not draw any specific paragraphs to my attention
as pertaining to grievance 12. I have carefully searched the particulars relating
to this period. The only paragraph I could link to this grievance is paragraph
205. Based on the statement in the grievance form and these particulars, it is
not possible to conclude that the failure to have a back to work meeting, the
absence of discussion about the May 24, 2021, incident or lack of concern as
to how the incident may have impacted the grievor’s health and safety or could
have constituted discrimination or harassment.
[162] However, the grievance form also asserts that the Administrator Mr. Erwin
yelled at the grievor and called her a liar 3 times on August 26. The particulars
do not set out the context in which Mr. Erwin did that. The particulars refer to
several “meetings” as well as other exchanges between the grievor and Mr.
Erwin. There are no facts as to what Mr. Erwin said, which the grievor has
described as “yelling” nor is there any facts as to what led to Mr. Erwin to call
the grievor a liar. No doubt, regardless of what caused Mr. Erwin to call the
grievor a liar, if true it was not professional conduct for a senior manager.
However, in the absence of a context and detail, this incident cannot be
considered to be a course of conduct within the definition in the employer’s
WDHP policy or arbitral jurisprudence. The facts asserted fall far short of
establishing a prima facie violation of articles 3 or 9. The employer’s motion is
upheld and grievance 12 is dismissed.
[163] Grievance 25 also cites articles 2, 3 and 9, but the allegations are only about
health and safety. The form asserts that during training the trainer had stated
that a YSO never works alone and that always there are two staff. However,
it is stated that at Cecil Facer “staff work alone constantly” and that “staff safety
is jeopardized daily”. At paragraph 212 of the particulars it is asserted that on
one occasion the grievor’s partner YSO left to relieve another YSO leaving her
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alone with the youth. It is alleged that this was contrary to the “always two
staff” policy.
[164] The Board concludes that the facts asserted lack sufficient detail that enables
an objective conclusion that the alleged breach of policy or protocol was
prevalent “constantly” or “daily” as concluded by the grievor. The particulars
only mention one such situation. That was at best, a dereliction of
responsibility on the part of a co-worker to relieve another YSO. There is no
assertion that that the coworker acted on management directions or that
management was even aware of that happening. The failure by an employee
to follow safety rules established by the employer, by itself cannot be held to
be a violation by the employer. The Board upholds the no prima facie case
motion. Grievance 25 is hereby dismissed.
[165] Grievance 30 is about the grievor, being provided rapid COVID tests with
expired dates. It is asserted that the employer’s failure to inform her that the
manufacturer had extended the expiry date caused the grievor “unnecessary
stress”. Union counsel did not point to any particulars in relation to this
grievance alleging harassment and health and safety violations. Nor did he
make any submissions on this grievance.
[166] The facts asserted on this grievance cannot possibly establish a prima facie
case for a violation of any collective agreement or legislative provision. It is
not asserted that the alleged failure to inform the grievor about the extension
of the date of expiry was anything more than an oversight. It is not alleged that
the employer deliberately did not inform the grievor, or that this failure was a
part of the employer’s pattern of mistreating or harassing her. If the employer
had informed her, the stress the grievor claims it caused could have been
avoided. In that sense, the stress was “unnecessary”. However, it cannot
possibly meet the legal definitions of harassment or discrimination. In the
circumstance, the employer’s no prima facie motion succeeds, and grievance
30 is hereby dismissed.
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[167] Grievance 31 is one of the 6 discovered by the employer during preparation
for this hearing and subsequently referred to arbitration. The Board does not
see any relevance of paragraph 233 which describes an observance the
grievor made could be abuse of management rights, harassment or
discrimination. The balance of the paragraphs detail events that preceded the
assault of the grievor by youth G, and the assault that took place on November
23, 2021, in cottage 6. The facts asserted are to the effect that G refused to
comply with directions given by YSOs using abusive and foul language
repeatedly demanding that arrangements be made for him to make a phone
call. The grievor intervened and told G not to speak to staff like that and
directed G to go back to his room. As G became increasingly aggressive, the
grievor called YSM Johnson. While she was still on the phone G started
swearing and yelling at her calling her a “f..ing bitch”, then jumped at her and
punched her.
[168] Details about the assault and its impact on the grievor are set out in the
particulars. The particulars note that the grievor activated a “blue button, and
requested that all managers doing nothing to report to cottage 6. Even as
several YSMs arrived, G continued directing abuse and profanity, threatening
her, including saying “ I don’t care if you are a woman or man. I’ll f…ing get
you, you f…ing bitch”. The grievor told several of the YSMs who arrived at the
scene that they came too late.
[169] Union counsel’s submission was to the effect that this assault was a result of
the stance the grievor took on the MP3 player issue. While she was attempting
to enforce the policy on MP3 players very strictly, her colleagues and even
some managers were not. As a result she was targeted. In dismissing
grievances directly based on the allegations that the employer failed to comply
with its own policy on MP3 players, the Board notes that there are no facts to
show that there was any employer policy prohibiting MP3 music access to
youth, or that youth were accessing songs on MP3 players encouraging
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violence. What the accepted facts show is that the grievor herself subjectively
was of the view that youth at Cecil Facer should not have access to those
songs. It was her conclusion that MP3 music is inappropriate for young people.
[170] The facts asserted in relation to grievance 31 do not suggest that youth G’s
behaviour on November 23, 2021, was in anyway connected to the grievor’s
stance on MP3 music. There is no assertion that G had been denied access
to MP3 players as result of her opposition or even that G wanted access to
MP3 player. However, the asserted facts do show that the abuse and profanity
directed at the grievor that day and the assault was triggered by the grievor
intervening, when G, who was already angry and had become aggressive, was
directing abuse and profanity at her co-workers, and directing him to
immediately return to his room.
[171] The intervention by the grievor at the time was well intentioned and completely
appropriate. G’s reaction to that direction was not appropriate very clearly.
However, the issue is whether the management caused or contributed to G’s
misbehaviour that day. There are no facts to suggest management was. The
grievor believed that the managers arrived too late. However, there are no
facts to suggest that they were aware of the situation until after the misconduct
and the assault had taken place. There are no facts as to how long after the
grievor activated the blue button they arrived, or how they could have earlier
and prevented the assault.
[172] The Board therefore concludes that while the incident was serious and
unfortunate, there are no facts that could establish that there was any action
or inaction which could constitute harassment or discrimination on the part of
the employer. Therefore, the employer’s no prima facie case motion is upheld.
[173] As for the grievor’s concern that the manner in which the employer deals with
youth at Cecil Facer is inappropriate and makes the workplace unsafe for staff,
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it may be framed as a union grievance which may give the Board jurisdiction.
However, the Board does not have jurisdiction to determine that issue in an
individual grievance. In an individual grievance an employee must be asserting
that his/her rights under the collective agreement or legislation were
contravened by the employer. The grievor has failed to assert facts to support
such a claim. Grievance 31 is hereby dismissed.
[174] That leaves grievances 32 to 36, referred to arbitration and consolidated after
the instant proceeding had commenced. While there were no prima facie case
motions, in relation to some mootness and abandonment motions also were
made. With respect to these grievances, each of them was challenged on the
ground that their referral to arbitration were untimely and failed to comply with
the mandatory time limit in article 22.6.
[175] The timeliness for each of the grievances 32 to 36 are set out in paragraph 55.
Union counsel did not dispute the employer’s assertion that the referral of each
of these grievances was referred to arbitration well after the deadline in article
22.6.1. He also conceded that the union has not provided any excuse or
explanation for the significant delay.
[176] Both parties agree that the arbitral jurisprudence is well established that
arbitrators have the to extend the time limits in article 22.6.1 at its discretion in
certain circumstances. However, they disagreed whether such circumstances
exist in these grievances. Submissions were made as to how the principles
established in the seminal decisions in Becker Milk (supra), and Greater
Niagara apply to grievances 32 to 36.
[177] Article 22.6.1 of the collective agreement provides:
22.6.1 If the grievor is not satisfied with the decision of the designated
management representative or if he or she does not receive the decision
within the specified time, the grievor may apply, through the Union, to
the Grievance Settlement Board (GSB) for a hearing of the grievance
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within fifteen (15) days of the date he or she received the decision or
within fifteen (15) days of the specified time limit for receiving the
decision.
Article 22.147 provides:
22.14.7 Notwithstanding Article 22.14.6, the GSB has the jurisdiction to
apply section 48(16) of the Ontario Labour Relations Act to extend the
timelines specified in the collective agreement at all stages of the
grievance and arbitration processes.
[178] Section 48(16) of the Labour Relations Act provides:
Except where a collective agreement states that this subsection does not apply,
an arbitrator or arbitration board may extend the time for the taking of any step
in the grievance procedure under a collective agreement, despite the expiration
of the time, where the arbitrator or arbitration board is satisfied that there are
reasonable grounds for the extension and that the opposite party will not be
substantially prejudiced by the extension.
[179] In Becker Milk Company, (1978), 19 L.A.C. (2nd) 217 (supra) arbitrator Burkett
wrote that the exercise of the equitable discretion vested in on arbitrator by the
Labour Relations Act requires a consideration of at least the following 3 factors:
1. The reason for the delay given by the offending party.
2. The length of the delay.
3. The nature of the grievance.
He stated that even if the arbitrator concludes tat the offending party was to
blame for the delay, “the arbitrator must nevertheless consider the second
the third factors referred to above in deciding if reasonable grounds exist for
an extension of the time limits”, and that “The purpose of the section is to
alleviate against technical bars”.
[180] In Greater Niagara General Hospital, (1981), 1 L.A.C. (3d) 1 (Schiff), the
arbitrator expanded the factors set out in Becker Milk and listed the following
factors:
1. The nature of the grievance
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2. Whether the delay occurred in launching the grievance or at a later stage
3. Whether the grievor was responsible for the delay
4. The reasons for the delay
5. The length of the delay
6. Whether the Employer could reasonably have assumed the grievance
had been abandoned.
[181] The factors set out in these decisions, in my view, ought not to be applied
mechanically. Nor should each factor be assigned weight, so as to make some
more important than others, and decide whether the “important” factors apply.
All of the facts must be considered together, not in isolation, in making that
decision. Also, all factors have to be considered in light of the facts and
circumstances of the particular case.
[182] Union counsel’s position was that absence or presence of substantial prejudice
becomes relevant, only if the arbitrator first decides based on the consideration
of the factors that time limits should be extended. The union submitted that at
that point, the employer has the burden to prove that extending time based on
the factors would result in substantial prejudice to it. The arbitrator should
change the decision it had made, only if the employer meets that burden of
proof.
[183] I disagree with that approach. As I have stated, the issue of substantive
prejudice must be assessed globally. The absence of substantial prejudice is
made a condition by the words in s. 48(16) of the Labour Relations Act, “will
not be substantially prejudiced”. Therefore, consideration of substantial
prejudice is very much a part of making the decision, not a consideration that
comes into play after the decision to make the extension is made.
[184] In considering the nature of grievances, the Board notes that grievance 33
states that the grievor’s human rights were violated by the employer on several
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occasions. However, there are no particulars as to who violated, when it was,
how her “Human rights” were violated or what those human rights were.
[185] Grievance 34 alleges abuse of management rights, harassment and
discrimination. It is asserted that the employer discriminated against the
grievor because of her disability by having her work for half an hour in
maintenance without pay. No further particulars are set out to explain how the
non-payment for half hour of wages amounts to harassment or discrimination
on the basis of disability.
[186] Grievance 35 alleges that the employer discriminated against the grievor by
not meeting the timelines for grievance dated October 1, 2020, and not
following the Health Productivity Plan process. There are no further
particulars.
[187] Grievance 36 alleges that since her return to work on July 6, 2020, the grievor’s
pay cheques and pension contributions were wrong and she could not
understand her pay cheques. It also grieves that the grievor’s vacation credits
were inaccurate causing her unnecessary stress. There are no other facts
asserted.
[188] Union counsel submitted that while the issues in these grievances is not as
serious as in a termination grievance, they are not trivial either. He suggested
that they fall in the middle of the range of seriousness. However, merely
because the grievor used the terms harassment, discrimination and human
rights, the Board cannot accept that those grievances are about harassment,
discrimination or human rights. The grievor has either not asserted any facts
about any conduct by management that may properly be described in that
manner, or has set out some facts which cannot possibly come within those
terms, as defined in the arbitral decisions. Grievance 36 is only about incorrect
pay, pension contributions and vacation credits. The Board, therefore,
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concludes that grievances 32 to 36 fall at the low end of the spectrum of
seriousness.
[189] The employer did not dispute that factors 2 and 3 in Niagara General Hospital,
that is that the breach of timeline occurred at the point of referral to arbitration
and not the filing of the grievance, and that the grievor was not responsible for
that delay favour extension of the time limits.
[190] However, the Board has concluded that the factor, “nature of the grievance”,
does not favour extension because the grievances fall at the low end of the
spectrum of seriousness. Similarly, factor 4, the reason for the delay, stands
against the Board’s exercise of jurisdiction to extend the time limit. Union
counsel conceded that the union has not offered any reason or explanation for
the delay. He also did not dispute that the referral of these grievances were
delayed significantly. Therefore, factor 5 operates against a decision to extend
time.
[191] As for factor 6, the Board notes that these grievances were referred to
arbitration even after long delays, only because the employer brought to the
union’s attention that there were stale grievances which had not been referred
to arbitration. One could not help but wonder whether these grievances would
have been referred to arbitration at all, if the employer had not brought them to
the union’s attention, which it was not legally obliged to do. In the
circumstances, the employer was entitled to reasonably assume that the
grievances had been abandoned.
[192] In Re Robbins 2013-0526 (Link). The Board made the following review of the
law which is very useful:
[31] The starting point for the determination of whether a legal decision-
maker, operating under s. 48(16) of the Labour Relations Act, 1995,
should exercise her or his jurisdiction to relieve against an untimely filed
or advanced grievance is the 1982 ruling by Arbitrator Schiff in Greater
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Niagara General Hospital, supra. His award has become the touchstone
for assessing timeliness claims in Ontario. Building upon an earlier
seminal award on timeliness by Arbitrator Burkett in Re Becker Milk,
supra, Arbitrator Schiff laid out six interrelated factors to assess the
worthiness of a request to relieve against the time limits in a collective
agreement so as to dismiss a grievance on the basis that it is untimely,
and to not hear and decide the matter on its merits:
i. The nature of the grievance – The more significant the issue is to
the parties – such as a termination or the imposition of serious
discipline, or a vital collective agreement interpretation – the greater
the weight that should be given to an extension. A matter of less
significance will be accorded less weight.
ii. Whether the delay occurred at the launch of the grievance or at
some later point in the process – If the delay occurred with a failure
to initiate the grievance within the timelines, the employer will not
learn what the grievor alleges nor have an opportunity to secure its
own position. A prejudice caused by the failure to adhere to time limits
may not be as serious to the employer if the delay occurred later in
the process.
iii. Whether the grievor was responsible for the delay – A stronger
presumption against any timeliness relief would exist if the grievor
bore sole or primary responsibility for the delay. Notwithstanding this,
if the responsibility for the delay fell entirely or largely on the union,
this would not become a positive feature in favour of granting the
relief. Rather, it would more likely have the effect of neutralizing the
factor.
iv. The reason(s) for the delay – A finding of bad faith by the party
that failed to file or advance the grievance would be a considerable
mark against providing relief. Negligence, carelessness or disregard
for the time limits would be less unacceptable, but still a matter of
some concern.
v. The length of the delay – All things being equal, the longer the
delay, then the greater the onus on the union and/or the grievor for
providing a credible reason to explain the delay.
vi. Whether the employer could reasonably have assumed that the
grievance had been abandoned – Union inaction that lulls an
employer into a false sense of security may be given a weighty factor.
This goes to the prejudice that an employer may face: it may well be
lead to believe that no grievance is forthcoming or that the matter has
been implicitly withdrawn by the union, and it may not take steps to
protect its position, such as preserving memory, protecting evidence
or marshalling arguments.
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[32] In addition to this very helpful list of factors from Greater Niagara
Regional Hospital, subsequent rulings on timeliness have issued some
useful observations that have enriched the analysis into this question: •
The sophistication of the grievor, and her or his familiarity with the
grievance process, can be an element to be considered. If the grievor
is, or had been, a local union officer, or had previously filed grievances,
this may be a factor against extending time limits: Donwood Institute and
OPSEU (1997), 60 L.A.C. (4th) 367 (Brandt). Conversely, a grievor who
had never filed a grievance before, and who depended on the union for
guidance, may result in a more lenient approach towards timelines:
Ontario (MCSCS) (Brennan), supra.
• Arbitrators differ as to the significance of an initial failure to grieve
unchallenged prior discipline which was used to justify a subsequent
termination, based on the principles of progressive discipline. Some
arbitrators have held that unchallenged prior discipline cannot be
reopened merely because the grievor is now facing termination based
in part on the prior record. There must be other, persuasive reasons
to justify timeliness relief: Ontario (MCSCS) (McClelland), supra.
Other arbitrators have said that unchallenged prior discipline which
creates a ‘serious impact’ on the grievor requires the employer to
demonstrate ‘real prejudice’ in order to thwart the operation of s. 48
(16). Real prejudice amounts to a course of action that would not
otherwise have been taken and it must be a course of action that
cannot be reversed without harm to the employer: Vale Inco Ltd,
supra. This latter observation is broadly consistent with the
requirement in s. 48 (16) that the prejudice to the employer has to be
substantial.
• A three month delay is not a modest delay, but nor is it, by itself, an
intolerable length of time. While no hard-and-fast rule creating a
bright red line based on the length of the delay exists, or should exist,
given the other factors at play, requests for a time limit extension in
this time range have been turned down – Ontario (MCSCS)
(McClelland); British Columbia Public Service Agency, supra – and,
conversely, have been allowed to proceed in order to be heard on
their merits: Liquor Control Board of Ontario (Brennan), supra. To be
sure, arbitrators have dismissed grievances when the timeliness
breaches had been shorter than three months – Helen Henderson
Care Centre, supra; and West Fraser Electro/Mechanical Ltd., supra
– and permitted time extensions when the breach far exceeded three
months: Re City of Toronto and CUPE, Local 43 (1990), 17 L.A.C.
(4th) 420 (Springate); and Re Ferranti Packard Transformers Ltd. and
USWA, Local 5788 (1993), 36 L.A.C. (4th) 307 (Haefling).
• Unions and employees owe a general obligation of due diligence to
employers and the industrial relations process in ensure the timely
filing and advancement of grievances: (Ontario (MCSCS) (Mazara).
However, this must be balanced with the long-standing industrial
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relations rule that, as much as possible, workplace differences should
be resolved on their substance rather than on technical or procedural
issues: Blouin Drywall Contractors Ltd. and UBC (1975), 8 O.R. (2d)
103 (C.A.); Vale Inco Ltd. While the ultimate legal source governing
the issue of timeliness in Ontario is s. 48 (16), adjudicators should
pay attention to the intentions of the parties, as expressed by the
language governing time limits in the collective agreement. If the
parties have chosen mandatory language, even if they have decided
not to preclude the operation of s. 48 (16), this should be a
consideration in the decision-making: (Ontario (MCSCS) (Mazara);
Liquor Control Board of Ontario (Gamble), supra; Helen Henderson
Care Centre.
…
[37] I have carefully considered the competing factors and considerations
provided in the authorities presented to me. In particular, I have paid
attention to the ruling by Vice-Chair Brown in Liquor Control Board of
Ontario (Brennan), which comes closest to the facts in our case and
which also involved a timeliness issue between the Employer and the
Union. In Brennan, the Employer imposed a three day suspension on
the grievor. The grievor and the Union did not file a grievance against
the suspension for 11 ½ weeks after the expiry of the time limits. The
grievor was subsequently terminated, with the Employer relying in part
upon the unchallenged three-day suspension as part of the disciplinary
record. The failure to file the suspension grievance in a timely fashion
was found to be the responsibility of the Union (due to a careless
misunderstanding as to whether a grievance had been initially filed
within the time limits), rather than the grievor, who was unsophisticated
with respect to the grievance process. The Employer did not contend
that it would be substantially prejudiced by an extension.
[38] In the circumstances, Vice-Chair Brown exercised his statutory
discretion and extended the period of time for filing the grievance. I note
that the three-day suspension in Brennan is considerably shorter than
the 15 day suspension in our present case. The mandatory collective
agreement language in Article 27 in Brennan is the same language that
exists in the current version of the agreement. The length of the delay
in Brennan was about a month shorter than our case, which is a notable,
but not a large, difference. One pertinent distinction between the cases
is that the Union in Brennan presented an explanation for the delay, a
factor missing in our present case.
[39] The other authority that was cited to me involving the present parties is
Liquor Control Board of Ontario (Gamble), authored by Vice-Chair Owen
Gray. Gamble is a thoroughly reasoned ruling that is a model of analysis
on the issue of timeliness. However, it can be distinguished from our
present case via one significant fact: the delay in filing the grievance in
Gamble was two years, compared to our three and a half months. Vice-
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Chair Gray held that the length of the delay was simply too great,
notwithstanding the lack of demonstrable prejudice that would be
suffered by the Employer, to warrant relief under s. 48 (16). He stated
that reasonable grounds to relieve against a delay of this length did not
exist in Gamble.
…
[45] First, the two fundamental factors that are provided for in s. 48 (16) –
whether there are reasonable grounds for an extension and whether the
employer would be substantially prejudiced by an extension – favour the
granting of an extension of the time limits. The reasonable grounds in
this case include the length and seriousness of the industrial discipline
involved (i.e., 15 days), the non-involvement of the grievor in the delay,
and the fact that the length of the delay – while a matter of genuine
concern at three and a half months – is within a range that has been
accepted, all other things being equal, in other comparable arbitration
decisions. As well, I am not persuaded that the Employer would be
substantially prejudiced by an extension. In particular, it is apparent that
the Employer would not face difficulties in presenting evidence and
documents, summoning witnesses, or encountering decayed memories
if it would be required to justify its suspension decision before this Board.
[193] Considering all of the facts and circumstance relating to the grievances and
the law the Board has no hesitation in concluding that no reasonable grounds
exist overall for the Board to exercise its authority under section 48(16) of the
Labour Relations Act to extend time limits.
[194] Similarly, the Board is convinced that it would be reasonable for it to assume,
given the length of the delays that an extension of time limits would
substantially prejudice the employer. In any event, there are facts before the
Board to establish that prejudice will actually result. The employer asserted,
and the union did not dispute, that several individuals, including members of
management, who had a role with regard to the subject matter of these
grievance are no longer employed with the employer, and that it may not be
able to consult with them or to call them as witnesses in defending against the
allegations made in the grievances.
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[195] The Board must also have regard to the agreement of the parties expressed
on article 22.1 of the collective agreement, subject of course to section 48(16)
of the Labour Relations Act, that grievances should be resolved as quickly as
possible. Extending time limits in the circumstances of these grievances,
would be to act against the intention jointly expressed in that article.
[196] For all those reasons, the Board declines to exercise jurisdiction under S.
48(16). Grievances 32 to 36 are hereby dismissed. Given that disposition the
Board need not deal with the other preliminary motions raised by the employer.
[197] Therefore, the Board remains seized with grievances 2, 5 and 6 as indicated.
All other grievances are dismissed. The Board remains seized with grievances
pursuant to the preliminary motions made by the employer.
Dated at Toronto, Ontario this 31st day of May 2024.
“Nimal Dissanayake”
Nimal Dissanayake, Arbitrator
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APPENDIX A
UNION’S STATEMENT OF PARTICUALRS
Please find below the Union’s particulars in the above-noted grievance for the purpose of
arbitration. The union reserves its right to add to and/or amend these particulars, in particular, to
any further documents or information that comes to our attention, including production from the
employer.
These particulars are provided on a without prejudice basis. In no way, does the Union bind itself to
any of the allegations, positions, and/or defenses that are contained within or may be inferred from
this document. We reserve the right to modify, change, alter or add to these particulars, allegations,
positions and/or defenses.
These Particulars concern 30 grievances spanning over a period of 7 years. They are as follows:
1. Grievance 2015-0618-0013, dated July 15, 2015, alleges the Employer violated the
Grievor’s rights under Articles 2 (Management Rights), 3 (Discrimination/Employment
Equity), and (Health and Safety and Video Display Terminals) of the Collective Agreement,
the Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy and the Ontario Human
Rights Code, when management harassed, bullied and discriminated against the Grievor by
disciplining her without a union representative present.
2. Grievance 2015-0618-0014, dated July 15, 2015, alleges the Employer violated the
Grievor’s rights under Articles 2 (Management Rights), 3 (Discrimination/Employment
Equity), and 9 (Health and Safety and Video Display Terminals) of the Collective
Agreement, the Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy and the
Ontario Human Rights Code, when the Grievor was subjected to violence and bullying by a
co-worker when she sought relief for a bathroom
3. Grievance 2016-0618-0003, dated April 7, 2016, alleges the Grievor’s rights under Articles
2 (Management Rights), 3 (Discrimination/Employment Equity), 7.1 (Pay Administration)
and 9 (Health and Safety and Video Display Terminals) under the Collective Agreement
were violated when the Grievor’s employer singled her out and disciplined her
discriminatorily, resulting in a poisoned work environment.
4. Grievance 2016-0618- 0004, dated April 7, 2016, alleges the Employer violated the
Grievor’s rights under Articles 2 (Management Rights), 3 (Discrimination/Employment
Equity), and 9 (Health and Safety and Video Display Terminals) of the Collective
Agreement, the Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy and the
Ontario Human Rights Code when her employer failed to protect her from violence and
bullying by a coworker.
5.
6. Grievance 2018-0618- 0019, dated July 19, 2018 alleges the employer failed to accept the
Grievor’s medical documentation and refused to allow her to return to work on June 19,
2019.
7. Grievance 2019-0618-0003 dated January 24, 2019 alleges the Employer has violated the
Grievor’s rights pursuant to Article 2 (Management Rights), 3 (Discrimination/Employment
Equity), and 9 (Health and Safety and Video Display Terminals) of the Collective
Agreement, the Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy and the
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Ontario Human Rights Code when its employees harassed and discriminated against her and
when we was not paid for her time attending a training session at work.
8. Grievance 2019-0618-0002 dated March 29, 2019 alleges that the Employer has engaged in
an abuse of management rights, and has violated the Grievor’s rights pursuant to Article 2
(Management Rights), 3 (Discrimination/Employment Equity), and 9 (Health and Safety
and Video Display Terminals) of the Collective Agreement, the Workplace Discrimination
and Harassment Prevention Policy and the Ontario Human Rights Code. The Grievor
alleges that the Employer discriminated against her on the basis of her disability.
9.
7. Grievance 2019-0618-0004 dated March 29, 2019 alleges that the Employer has
engaged in an abuse of management rights, and has harassed, bullied, discriminated
and singled her out because of past grievances. The Grievor states because her
previous grievances are not dealt with, she has been targeted and re-victimized by
the employer.
8.
9. Grievance 2019-0618-0005 dated March 29, 2019 alleges that the Employer has
engaged in a abuse of management rights, harassment and discrimination. The
Grievor believes that the Employer has violated Article 2 (Management Rights), 3
(Discrimination/Employment Equity), and 9 (Health and Safety and Video Display
Terminals) of the Collective Agreement, the Workplace Discrimination and
Harassment Prevention Policy and the Ontario Human Rights Code. The Grievor
alleges that the Employer’s failure to respect the workplace policies and procedures
related to a respectful workplace has had a significant repercussion on her health
and well-being.
10.
11. Grievance 2021-0618-0005 dated September 19, 2021 alleges the Employer has
violated the Grievor’s rights pursuant to Article 2 (Management Rights), 3
(Discrimination/Employment Equity), and 9 (Health and Safety and Video Display
Terminals) of the Collective Agreement, the Workplace Discrimination and
Harassment Prevention Policy and the Ontario Human Rights Code and further, that
the employer has engaged in an abuse of management rights, harassment and
discrimination. As reflected in the grievance form, management was aware of the
unauthorized used of Netflix account in room 7 for movie programs, contrary to the
Netflix’s Terms of Use which states that its used is restricted to personal and non-
commercial use. The Grievor believes that the inconsistent enforcement of the rules
and the display of inappropriate content on the employer’s various programing
platform has led to some staff to become the target of physical assault.
12.
10. Grievance 2021-0618-0006 dated September 19, 2021 alleges the Employer has violated
the Grievor’s rights pursuant to Article 2 (Management Rights), 3
(Discrimination/Employment Equity), and 9 (Health and Safety and Video Display
Terminals) of the Collective Agreement, the Workplace Discrimination and Harassment
Prevention Policy and the Ontario Human Rights Code when it failed to deal with ongoing
issues related to the implication of the unauthorized use of MP3s and its inappropriate
content for the Grievor’s health and safety. The Grievor alleges that in the presence of the
Youth Service Manager she was threatened on 3 occasions on August 25 and August 26.
The employer did not show any concern or take any steps to ensure the Grivor’s workplace
was free of harassments and threats.
11.
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12. Grievance 2021-0618-0007 dated September 19, 2021 has violated the Grievor’s rights
pursuant to Article 2 (Management Rights), 3 (Discrimination/Employment Equity), and 9
(Health and Safety and Video Display Terminals) of the Collective Agreement, the
Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy and the Ontario Human
Rights Code, when an administrator, Ron Erwin, yelled at her and called her a liar 3 times
on August 26, 2021. Further, the Grievor alleges that the employer’s agents, YSM JR
Chevrete and Terry Labbe, failed to devise and provide the Grievor with a safety plan to
return to work on September 8, 2021 as previously had been discussed on August 26. The
Grievor alleges that the employer’s lack of care and accountability has put her safety in
jeopardy by creating and encouraging a poisonous work environment and by inflicting
harassment and discrimination against her.
13.
14. Grievance 2021-0618-0008 dated September 19, 2021 the Grievor alleges that the
employer engaged in abuse of management rights, and has violated the Grievor’s rights
pursuant to Article 2 (Management Rights), 3 (Discrimination/Employment Equity), and 9
(Health and Safety and Video Display Terminals) of the Collective Agreement, the
Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy and the Ontario Human
Rights Code when the employer’s agent, YSO JR Chevrette, returned the confiscated MP3
back to the youth, containing songs and lyrics that were highly inappropriate.
15.Grievance 2021-0618-0009 dated September 19, 2021 the Grievor alleges that the employer
engaged in abuse of management rights, and has violated the Grievor’s rights pursuant to Article 2
(Management Rights), 3 (Discrimination/Employment Equity), and 9 (Health and Safety and Video
Display Terminals) of the Collective Agreement, the Workplace Discrimination and Harassment
Prevention Policy and the Ontario Human Rights Code when an employer’s agent, YSM JR
Chevrette, harassed and discriminated against on August 25 and August 26, 2021 and refused her a
break or early relief from duties on September 13, 2021. As well, on September 17, 2021 the
Grievor was again refused a break and was told to leave after her equipment and keys were taken
away by another member of the management, Brian Bascome.
16. Grievance 2021-0618-0010 dated September 19, 2021 that the employer engaged in abuse of
management rights, and has violated the Grievor’s rights pursuant to Article 2 (Management
Rights), 3 (Discrimination/Employment Equity), and 9 (Health and Safety and Video Display
Terminals) of the Collective Agreement, the Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention
Policy and the Ontario Human Rights Code when the Grievor learned that agents of the employer,
YSM JR Chevrette, had told a youth that “sometimes fights need to happen so ppl learn” and
thereby encouraging and creating an unsafe workplace and poisonous work environment for the
Grievor and other staff members.
17. Grievance 2021-0618-0011 dated September 19, 2021 dated September 19, 2021 that the
employer engaged in abuse of management rights, and has violated the Grievor’s rights pursuant to
Article 2 (Management Rights), 3 (Discrimination/Employment Equity), and 9 (Health and Safety
and Video Display Terminals) of the Collective Agreement, the Workplace Discrimination and
Harassment Prevention Policy when the Grievor learned that after she had removed an MP3 from in
possession of a youth inmate, and handed the MP3 to a member of management on the promise that
the device would not be returned to the youth, the device was in fact returned. The Grievor believes
that member of the management at the workplace are all aware of the workplace policy violation
which prohibits the use of the device, yet they are failing to enforce the policy.
18.Grievance 2021-0618-0012 dated September 19, 2021 that the employer engaged in abuse of
management rights, and has violated the Grievor’s rights pursuant to Article 2 (Management
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Rights), 3 (Discrimination/Employment Equity), and 9 (Health and Safety and Video Display
Terminals) of the Collective Agreement, the Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention
Policy and the Ontario Human Rights Code when the Grievor was made aware that on September
14, 2021 the employer was informed of a youth having fentanyl in his system. Contrary to the
workplace policy, the employer failed to isolate the youth and did not perform a search of the
institution. Further, the Grievor questions as to why the employer did not perform medical
procedures to ensure the safety of the youth in their care.
19.Grievance 2021-0618-0013 dated September 19, 2021 that the employer engaged in abuse of
management rights, and has violated the Grievor’s rights pursuant to Article 2 (Management
Rights), 3 (Discrimination/Employment Equity), and 9 (Health and Safety and Video Display
Terminals) of the Collective Agreement, the Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention
Policy and the Ontario Human Rights Code as the grievor believes the proposal for a music studio
is not needed. The Grievor believes that the youth in their care is in need of other programming
including anger management, psychological and counselling services, chaplin and aboriginal
services, etc.
20. Grievance 2021-0618-0014 dated September 19, 2021 that the employer engaged in abuse of
management rights, and has violated the Grievor’s rights pursuant to Article 2 (Management
Rights), 3 (Discrimination/Employment Equity), and 9 (Health and Safety and Video Display
Terminals) of the Collective Agreement, the Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention
Policy and the Ontario Human Rights Code as the Grievor believes that the management abuses
staff and its the internal investigation by the employer is unjustifiable.
21.Grievance 2021-0618-0015 dated September 19, 2021 that the employer engaged in abuse of
management rights, and has violated the Grievor’s rights pursuant to Article 2 (Management
Rights), 3 (Discrimination/Employment Equity), and 9 (Health and Safety and Video Display
Terminals) of the Collective Agreement, the Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention
Policy and the Ontario Human Rights Code as the Grievor believe when the employer performs
searches, the results of the search are not logged or recorded, and not shared with staff.
22.Grievance 2021-0618-0016 dated September 19, 2021 that the employer engaged in abuse of
management rights, and has violated the Grievor’s rights pursuant to Article 2 (Management
Rights), 3 (Discrimination/Employment Equity), and 9 (Health and Safety and Video Display
Terminals) of the Collective Agreement, the Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention
Policy and the Ontario Human Rights Code when it chose to ignore employees’ safety concerns.
The Grievor alleges that on September 18, 2021 several employees were injuries at work but agents
of the employer did not attend the work site to address ongoing safety issues. The employer does
not seek or allow any input from employees in implementing safety protocols, and hence puts
employee and youth at risk by ignoring their concerns.
23.. Grievance 2021-0618-0017 dated September 19, 2021 alleges that the employer’s agent and
recreational officer neglects his duties and underperforms his job responsibility. The Grievor alleges
that the office in question only runs music and movie programing and plays music on his MPs
instead of performing his duties.
24.Grievance 2021-0618-0018 dated September 19, 2021 alleges that the employer engaged in
abuse of management rights, and has violated the Grievor’s rights pursuant to Article 2
(Management Rights), 3 (Discrimination/Employment Equity), and 9 (Health and Safety and Video
Display Terminals) of the Collective Agreement when it does not train its staff and employees
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about the side effect of medications that youth inmate use under their care. The Grievor is concerns
that the youth inmates are highly medicated and are becoming dysfunctional.
25. Grievance 2021-0618-0019 dated September 19, 2021 that the employer engaged in abuse of
management rights, and has violated the Grievor’s rights pursuant to Article 2 (Management
Rights), 3 (Discrimination/Employment Equity), and 9 (Health and Safety and Video Display
Terminals) of the Collective Agreement, the Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention
Policy and the Ontario Human Rights Code when it bullied, harassed and discriminated against the
Grievor in the course of her employment.
26.Grievance 2021-0618-0020 dated September 19, 2021 that the employer engaged in abuse of
management rights, and has violated the Grievor’s rights pursuant to Article 2 (Management
Rights), 3 (Discrimination/Employment Equity), and 9 (Health and Safety and Video Display
Terminals) of the Collective Agreement, when the Grievor does not mandate that all employees
should be paired up during their shift. The Grievor believes that staff at CFYC, unlike staff at
RMYC, work alone and this can lead to a risk to the safety of employees. The Grievor alleges that
upon her return and retraining in 2018, she was told that no employee should be working alone.
26. Grievance 2021-0618-0021 dated September 19, 2021 alleges the employer engaged in abuse
of management rights, and has violated the Grievor’s rights pursuant to Article 2 (Management
Rights), 3 (Discrimination/Employment Equity), and 9 (Health and Safety and Video Display
Terminals) of the Collective Agreement, the Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention
Policy, when, as the Grievor contents, it knowingly endangered staff and youth by placing members
of two rival groups in the same unit and expecting employees to be able to keep these inmates apart
and safe.
27. Grievance 2021-0618-0022 dated September 19, 2021 alleges the employer engaged in abuse
of management rights, and has violated the Grievor’s rights pursuant to Article 2 (Management
Rights) as the employer does not have an inventory to keep track of and account for everything at
the workplace. The Grievor believes that as a secure custody and detention center, the employer
ought to ensure that everything should be accounted for.
28. Grievance 2021-0618-0002 dated November 12, 2021 alleges employer engaged in abuse of
management rights contrary to Article 2 (Management Rights) of the Collective Agreement. The
Grievor indicates that the employer has not addressed ongoing workplace issues previously
expressed on grievances on September 19, 2021.
29. Grievance 2021-0618-0003 dated November 12, 2021 alleges employer engaged in abuse of
management rights contrary to Article 2 (Management Rights) of the Collective Agreement. The
Grievor believes that the calculation of her vacation credits is inaccurate and would like to find out
the amount of vacation she is owed.
30. Grievance 2021-0618-0004 dated November 12, 2021 alleges employer engaged in abuse of
management rights contrary to Article 2 (Management Rights) of the Collective Agreement. The
Grievor believes that she experienced discrimination when the employer failed to warn her about
the extension of the expiry date of some COVID-19 testing kits.
Background:
31. Sonya Rizzo began working as a Correctional Officer (now titled Youth Services Officer) at
Cecil Facer Youth Centre on June 12, 2000.
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32. The Grievor had been off sick starting March 30, 2016.
Stress Leave
April 30, 2014.
33. While the Grievor was off, she was required to bring doctor’s notes to work every three to four
weeks. The notes were handed to Youth Service Manager, Ms. Naumenko who frequently
suggested the work of Youth Service Officer might not be appropriate for the Grievor. Ms.
Naumenko also suggested the Grievor take psych medication as she had herself, and suggested the
Grievor ask her doctor to write a note saying the Grievor was incapable of performing her job. This
greatly added to the Grievor’s stress levels.
Grievor’s Return to Work from Stress Leave October 27, 2014
34. After six months of treatment and rest, the Grievor’s family doctor cleared her to return to work
on a gradual basis. While she returned to full-time duties, she was to work day shifts only. This
accommodation remains in place.
35. Upon the Grievor’s return to work there was no Health and Productivity Plan. Ms. Naumenko
was the manager for HPP at the time and was off sick. No other manager administrated the program
to facilitate the Grievor’s return to work.
Ms. Naumenko’s Return to Work December 2014
36. Upon Ms. Naumenko’s return from her sick leave and, after the Grievor had been back to work
for 2 months, there was a scheduled meeting with the Grievor and Ms. Naumenko to set up the
Grievor’s HPP plan.
37. At the time the meeting was scheduled, the Grievor also had a scheduled clinical meeting. When
the Grievor did not show up for her meeting with Ms. Naumenko, Ms. Naumenko called the
Grievor twice and paged her once within the course of 20 minutes. The Grievor was unable to
respond to the phone calls and pages immediately, as she was in a clinical meeting. The Grievor
eventually responded after excusing herself from the meeting. She told Ms. Naumenko the reason
she had been unresponsive. Ms. Naumenko started shouting at the Grievor that they had had an
appointment and that the Grievor was supposed to be in her office, not a clinical meeting.
38. The Grievor hung up the phone and proceeded to Deputy Superintendent Louise Williams’
office to report that she felt harassed and bullied by Ms. Naumenko. Absenteeism Meeting Dec 10,
2014
39. The Grievor received a letter from Louise Williams, Acting Deputy Administrator, to discuss
the Grievor’s absenteeism. Ms. Williams and the Grievor were the only ones present at this
meeting. The dates characterized as absences were dates that were within the times the Grievor was
on sick leave. The Grievor felt that she was being attacked and targeted for having been off sick.
Grievor Harassed for Smoking Outside of Designated Area January 30, 2015
40. On January 30, 2015 at approximately 1300hrs, the Grievor asked Dave Lewis, Youth Services
Manager, if she could go outside for a smoke break. Mr. Lewis said to go ahead. The Grievor went
outside and saw there was an information picket at the entrance of the parking lot and that Union
President Brian Smith was there.
41. The Grievor approached Mr. Smith about toques she had heard the union was giving away. Mr.
Smith informed the Grievor he did not have any toques with him, but would get the Grievor one
soon. The Grievor greeted coworkers who were also outside, stopped at her van and got some gum,
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then returned inside the main building. The Grievor was still smoking the same cigarette she had lit
when she first exited the main building. The Grievor estimates she was outside for no more than 15
minutes.
42. As the Grievor approached the main building, Dave Lewis was at the front doors. He asked the
Grievor where she had gone. The Grievor said she had been outside. Mr. Lewis then asked the
Grievor “where exactly?” The Grievor told Mr. Lewis that she went outside, noticed the
information picket, walked over, asked Brian Smith for a toque, walked back and stopped at her van
to get gum and then back in.
43. Mr. Lewis then told the Grievor she had not been in the designated smoking area and therefore
would need to write herself up. The Grievor questioned why she had to write herself up. Mr. Lewis
told the Grievor he had already told all staff that they were not to go out to the information picket.
The Grievor informed Mr. Lewis that he had failed to tell her.
44. The Grievor then called Union President Brian Smith and informed him of the situation. Mr.
Smith advised the Grievor not to write herself up and that he would be calling Mr. Lewis.
45. Sometime after, Mr. Lewis called the Grievor into the staff lounge and told her he was ordering
her to write herself up. The Grievor proceeded to comply with Mr. Lewis’ order. Mr. Smith
eventually spoke to Superintendent Claude St. Jean on the Grievor’s behalf and the situation was
resolved. This incident showcased management’s harassing behaviours towards the Grievor.
Grievor Works Shift with No Support from Management April 12, 2015
46. On Sunday April 12th, 2015 the Grievor worked a shift with no back-up from management. The
Grievor submitted an Occurrence Report on this day, as well as a suicide watch observation form.
Meeting with YSO, Jen Brouillette re: Occurrence Report and Leaves of Absence. April 15, 2015
47. On the Grievor’s first shift back since she had handed in her occurrence report on April 12,
2015, the Grievor entered YSM’ Jen Brouillette office to discuss some issues and concerns that had
arisen over the weekend.
48. YSM Brouillette told the Grievor she had to speak to her about the Occurrence Report she had
written on April 12th and Leaves of Absence (LOA’s). The Grievor did not have time to speak then.
The Grievor asked YSM Brouillette whether this talk was disciplinary and whether the Grievor
needed a union representative. YSM Brouillette said “No”. The Grievor then left the office and
continued working.
Grievor’s Talk with YSM Brouillette re: Occurrence Reports, Breaks and UPL’s
- Ms. Brouillette Repeatedly Inquires about Grievor’s Mental Health April 16, 2015
49. YSM Brouillette approached the Grievor as she was exiting the front doors for a smoke and
asked if she could join the Grievor. The Grievor had been previously informed by Ms. Brouillette
that she did not need union representation when they spoke about the April 12, 2015 Occurrence
Report and that the conversation would not be disciplinary. As such, the Grievor had no problem
with Ms. Brouillette joining her outside.
50. When they arrived in the parking lot, Ms. Brouillette raised the issues of the Grievor’s
Occurrence Reports and breaks. Ms. Brouillette informed the Grievor that, per the Collective
Agreement, the Grievor is not entitled to breaks. She said that rather, the Grievor “was entitled to
relief as operational needs could accommodate and debriefing, if need be.” The Grievor responded,
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“So you’re saying if we are short-staffed due to mismanagement, I may not be allowed a smoke
break during a 12-hour shift?” Ms. Brouillette responded, “Yes; that’s right.”
51. Ms. Brouillette then said to the Grievor, “Are you okay? I need to know if you’re okay.” Ms.
Brouillette then said, “I noticed you have used 14 UPLs so far this year, from 1500 to 1900 hours.”
Ms. Brouillette then asked the Grievor, “Do you do this to cope?” The Grievor responded, “I do
whatever I need to do to get by day-by-day. I know I haven’t used 14 UPLs from 1500 to 1900 this
year.” The Grievor then told Ms. Brouillette that she knew she had taken three 8-hour shift UPLs
during the March break and that she had used some 4-hour blocks, but that she had not used 14 of
them.
52. Ms. Brouillette asked the Grievor again if she had been using these four hours off 12-hour shifts
“to cope” and asked again if the Grievor “was okay.” The Grievor informed her that she was okay,
that she came to work to do her job and that just because others had not been doing their jobs did
not mean there was something wrong with the Grievor.
53. Ms. Brouillette then explained that “This is the way the Ministry has gone.” The Grievor went
on to explain that she would not remain silent when things were happening that were wrong. Ms.
Brouillette said, “This is the way we have to do things; this is the way the Ministry has chosen to
go.” The Grievor expressed her concerns about the way the institution was being run, that she had
concerns about the way things were being handled on the weekend and that it was very difficult for
the Grievor to do her job. The Grievor told Ms. Brouillette that she had absolutely no help from
Managers Lewis and Labbe on the weekend and that she felt she had no tools left in her toolbox.
The Grievor also informed Ms. Brouillette that the two Residents who had caused the problems on
the weekend could easily have caused a major disturbance that day.
54. Ms. Brouillette asked the Grievor again if she was okay. The Grievor responded that she was
and asked Ms. Brouillette why she kept asking her if she was okay. Ms. Brouillette said “There
is nothing wrong with going to your doctors and telling them you need a break.” The Grievor
informed Ms. Brouillette that there was nothing wrong with her and that she had no reason to go see
her doctor. The Grievor did express that it had been extremely difficult doing her job as there did
not seem to be any consequences for the Residents. The Grievor also told Ms. Brouillette that she
had been at Cecil Facer for almost 15 years and never had she felt as deprived of breaks as she did
at that time. The Grievor said she had been smoking her whole career and had never had problems
getting breaks before. Ms. Brouillette responded, “This is the way it is.”
55. The Grievor then asked Ms. Brouillette about the process for lodging a complaint about a breach of
the Grievor’s rights. Ms. Brouillette responded, “To your immediate supervisor, which is me or you can
call EAP”. The Grievor asked Ms. Brouillette, “What does EAP have to do with anything?” and
repeated that she had a right to breaks. Ms. Brouillette repeated, “This is the way it is.”
56. Ms. Brouillette then went on to suggest, “Maybe if you go to your doctors and tell them you can
no longer do your job, you could probably get health re-assigned doing something else.” The
Grievor responded, “I was HPP for five years; I know how health re-assignments work.”
57. When the Grievor mentioned her Occurrence Report from the previous weekend, Ms.
Brouillette said something to the effect of: “Don’t worry about what’s going on in there; I’m
concerned about you. Are you okay?” This happened more than once during the conversation.
58. At the end of their talk, Ms. Brouillette asked, “Do you want me to look at leaves of absence to
see if coping is allowed?” The Grievor told Ms. Brouillette that she knew that would not be
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acceptable. The Grievor ended the conversation by asking Ms. Brouillette the guidelines for unpaid
leaves.
Email Exchange with Jennifer Brouillette April 23, 2015
59. YSM Brouillette sent the Grievor an email titled, “Discussion Summary”. In it, the YSM
characterized her and the Grievor’s discussion as follows: She said that she had told the Grievor she
was not entitled to scheduled breaks, but that that there are various times throughout the day when
the Grievor may have “rest periods” pending approval by the Manager and depending on
operational needs.
60. Ms. Brouillette also clarified that the SIS Form should be used for concerns and suggestions
since Occurrence Reports are not the format for concerns/suggestions.
61. Ms. Brouillette wrote that she and the Grievor had discussed the Grievor’s past use of LWOPs
and that she had informed the Grievor that she needed to submit these requests to Ms. Brouillette in
writing for prior approval. She also wrote that the Grievor had indicated to YSM Brouillette that she
had been using the majority of her LWOPs “for mental health and coping” as the Grievor had
reported having difficulties with the Residents when they were not in school.
62. Finally, Ms. Brouillette wrote that “the Grievor’s mental health concerns and struggling to cope
would not be LWOP.” Ms. Brouillette wrote that she would encourage the Grievor to have this
conversation with her physician and/or access the resources under EAP.
April 25, 2015
63. The Grievor responded that she did not agree with the last part of the email that YSM
Brouillette had written, and that the information she provided was incorrect. The Grievor requested
to sit and speak with Ms. Brouillette at her earliest convenience.
April 28, 2015
64. Ms. Brouillette agreed to meet the Grievor the following Wednesday.
Grievor Denied Breaks as CFYC Short-Staffed April 25, 2015
65. When the Grievor was working in Cottage 6, YSM Walker walked by at approximately 0800hrs
and announced that CFYC is short-staffed and that breaks were likely not going to happen. The
Grievor told Mr. Walker that that was ridiculous, that it was 0800hrs and that the Grievor still had
11hours left on her shift. Mr. Walker told the Grievor “Just go out the back door.” The Grievor told
Mr. Walker that she does not bring her cigarettes into the institution and, even if the Grievor did,
she would not be going out the back door.
66. On April 26, 2015 Superintendent Claude St. Jean walked into the Cottage and said hello to
YSO Eugene D’Orazio and no one else, exhibiting management’s favourable bias towards him.
Grievor’s Incident with Eugene D’Orazio April 30, 2015
67. On Thursday April 30, 2015 the Grievor was assigned on duty as Cottage 6 staff. YSO
D’Orazio was also on duty. YSO Debassige was also Cottage staff but was assigned to one-to-one
duty with a Resident. The Grievor spoke with a Resident who was very upset. She then asked him if
he was okay. The Resident said he was. The Grievor then told the Resident that she absolutely had
to use the bathroom. She asked him to remain calm and told him she would be back in a few
minutes.
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68. The Grievor approached the staff room and informed her co-workers that she really needed to use
the bathroom. YSO D’Orazio said “No!” The Grievor explained she was serious. YSM Walker told the
Grievor that “there’s nobody in there.” The Grievor explained that she needed A YSO with the
Residents before she could go to the bathroom. YSO D’Orazio and YSM Walker then left the office and
entered the lounge. The Grievor then proceeded to the bathroom.
69. When the Grievor exited the bathroom, YSO D’Orazio was in the staff office near the bathroom
door. He immediately started yelling at the Grievor, grabbed the Diester and whipped it on the desk.
Amongst other things, Mr. D’Orazio yelled “I’ve f--kin’ had it with you!” “I’m tired of your
bullshit!”, "I’m sick of your fucking attitude; we need to talk and we need to talk right f-- king
now!” The Grievor told Mr. D’Orazio that he needed to calm down. She was also trying to leave the
area. Mr. D’Orazio continued to yell at the Grievor and continued to demand she speak with him.
As the Grievor was leaving the area, Mr. D’Orazio followed her out of the office and into the
lounge area.
70. While the Grievor was in the bathroom, YSO Gagnon had arrived at the Cottage and was in the
lounge area with Ms. Debassige and four Residents. The Grievor noticed that YSM Walker was
heading towards the door to exit the Cottage. The Grievor quickly approached him and said “You
can’t go anywhere right now; I don’t feel safe.” YSM Walker then remained in the Cottage.
71. YSO D’Orazio continued to yell abuse at the Grievor in the lounge. YSO Gagnon told the
Residents they were going outside. The Grievor joined Mr. Gagnon, Ms. Debassige and four
Residents as they left the Cottage. The Grievor could still hear Mr. D’Orazio yelling inside the
Cottage.
72. YSO Gagnon then suggested the group go elsewhere. The Grievor mentioned that they had gym
soon, at 1300 hours. The group then proceeded to the gym.
73. After approximately 10 minutes in the gym, Mr. Gagnon said to the Grievor, “Oh Riz, I totally
forgot, you have to go back to the Cottage to talk to Mr. D’Orazio.” The Grievor did not believe
Mr. Gagnon was serious and looked at him in a way that communicated this. Mr. Gagnon informed
the Grievor he would not joke about something like that. Minutes later, the Grievor returned to the
Cottage as she believed she had no other choice.
74. The Grievor entered the Cottage and saw YSO Derks, YSM Prudhomme and YSO D’Orazio.
Mr. Prudhomme asked the Grievor to go outside with him to speak for a minute. YSM Prudhomme
and YSO Sonya Rizzo exited the cottage and sat on the picnic table and started talking. YSM
Prudhomme was very understanding and told the grievor that he had seen “YOS Eugene D’Orazio lose
it in the past”.
75. Upon reentry, YSM Derks asked, “Who wants to start?” Mr. D’Orazio said “I’ll start”. Mr.
D’Orazio then told the Grievor he didn’t like working with her, he didn’t like her attitude and that
he had protected and looked out for her. Mr. D’Orazio said he absolutely could not work with the
Grievor and that he was a team player and she was not. He said, “You should [hear] what people
say about you around here!” The Grievor responded, “Very professional; keep going.” Mr.
D’Orazio said he had a problem with the Grievor’s smoke breaks and that she had already taken
two that day. He continued, “While you’re gone for half an hour for a smoke, I’m here watching the
kids.” The Grievor suggested maybe Mr. D’Orazio also needed breaks. She said she was relieved of
her duties when she went out for a smoke; that she did not abandon her post.
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76. When Mr. D’Orazio stopped talking, the Grievor said that he had said lots. The Grievor did not
respond as she felt she heard that Mr. D’Orazio did not want to work with her. The Grievor told
YSM Derks that she had no problem leaving the unit. YSM Derks then called Mr. Walker and
informed him that the Grievor would be moved from the unit. Ms. Derks instructed the Grievor to
go to Mr. Walker’s office to get direction as to where she should be stationed.
77. When the Grievor arrived at Mr. Walker’s office, he advised her that Ms. Cunningham was on
her way from Cottage 3 and that the Grievor would assume the Admit and Discharge post.
Grievor is Pressured to Write Reports and is Not Offered a Supper Break. April 30, 2015 1620 hrs.
78. Ms. Derks knocked on the door where the Grievor was writing her reports and asked, “Is
everything good? The Grievor responded, “Yes, thank you.” At approximately 1702 hours Mr.
Walker knocked on the door and asked if the Grievor was almost done her reports. She responded,
“No, not yet.” Mr. Walker appeared panicked to the Grievor and said, “Well, I have 3 programs. I
need staff.” At no point was the Grievor offered a break for supper.
79. The Grievor submitted an Occurrence Report on April 30, 2015 pertaining to this incident with
Mr. D’Orazio.
Grievor Teased and Harassed by Resident Regarding the Incident on April 30, 2015 May 4, 2015
80. One resident in particular began to make comments towards the Grievor referring to the incident
with Mr. D’Orazio on April 30. The resident would make comments such as, “Open my door or I
will pull a Eug on you.” The resident would also posture towards the Grievor in an intimidating
fashion. This led to a further poisoning of the Grievor’s workplace.
Meeting with Laurie St. Amand (Union) YSM Naumenko, YSM Brouillette, YSO Rizzo regarding
YSM Brouillette’s email to the Grievor May 4, 2015
81. During the meeting, the Grievor asked Ms. Brouillette why she would make comments about
her mental health in an email. YSM Brouillette responded that she had only used those words
because the Grievor had. The Grievor asserted she did not use those words in their conversation or
any other conversation. Ms. St. Amand stopped the conversation at this point.
82. Ms. St. Amand spoke to Ms. Brouillette about always asking the Grievor if she was okay and
told her it was like poking a bear. There was also some discussion with Ms. Naumenko and Ms.
Brouillette, where they explained that they asked the Grievor if she was okay because her co-
workers would often come in and tell the managers that the Grievor had been in her car crying.
83. The Grievor asked why she hadn’t been told about her coworkers saying this before if the
Managers were so concerned. The Grievor challenged their concern when neither manager had
checked on her.
Ms. Brouillette Asks Grievor if Grievor is Okay Again April 29 or 30, 2015
84. The Grievor was outside having a cigarette when she received a radio transmission from Ms.
Brouillette to call her extension. The Grievor radioed back “It will be a minute”.
85. When the Grievor re-entered the Building she went to the staff lounge, called Ms. Brouillette’s
extension and said “Hi there” to Ms. Brouillette. Ms. Brouillette replied, “Oh, hi there! Are you
okay?” The Grievor asked Ms. Brouillette why she was asking if she was okay. The Grievor told
Ms. Brouillette she was okay and they proceeded to discuss the purpose of Ms. Brouillette’s call.
There was no purpose for this call other than YSM Brouilette harassing the grievor because the
grievor was outside. The grievor felt singled out and harassed by this behaviour.
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Email Exchange with YSM Joe Shaw re: WDHP May 5, 2015
86. YSM Shaw wrote the Grievor and request that she submit in writing the nature of her WDHP
complaint and the prohibited grounds it concerned which would then be forwarded to the WDHP
advisor, who would contact the Grievor directly to discuss the matter further.
87. Mr. Shaw then wrote that they required the Grievor’s response by the end of the week. Once
they received her response, they would review it and set up mediation or a time to discuss the
Grievor’s issues further.
WDHP Advisor, Jody Nyasha Warner Contacts the Grievor re: Complaint. May 5, 2015
88. Ms. Warner emailed the Grievor that Mr. Shaw had referred her WDHP complaint to her unit.
Ms. Warner requested to set up a time to hear more about the complaint and to explain the process
to the Grievor. ion with The Grievor re: Reports May 8, 2015.
89. Mr. Rod McNair told the Grievor he had been approached by Mr. Shaw and told to write a
report in regards to the incident following the Grievor’s request to get relief for a bathroom break
on April 26, 2015.
Grievor Inquires about progress of WDHP Investigation. May 28, 2015
90. On May 28, 2015 the Grievor had a talk with Ms. Louise Williams, Deputy Superintendent, in
her office and asked her if she could go out for a smoke. When the Grievor left Ms. Williams’
office, she went towards the staff lounge. When the Grievor turned the corner she saw Mr.
D’Orazio speaking with another staff member near the lounge door. In order to avoid Mr. D’Orazio,
the Grievor went through the metal detector area, through to the kitchen then back up the stairs by
D- 6 and proceeded outside.
91. Afterwards, the Grievor saw Ms. Williams in the main office, approached her and asked how
long the WDHP investigation would take. The Grievor told her she had just seen Mr. D’Orazio and
that her whole body got hot, started shaking and that her anxiety levels were high. She told Ms.
Williams she felt like vomiting and that she felt afraid of Mr. D’Orazio.
Grievor sees Mr. D’Orazio and has an Anxiety Attack June 2, 2015
92. On Tuesday June 2, 2015 the Grievor arrived for work and as she walked toward the main
building, she saw Mr. D’Orazio, Ms. Michaud and another staff member walking towards her from
the building. The Grievor felt anxious so she re-opened her car door and pretended to look for
something in her car. The Grievor waited until they all left and then proceeded to the main building.
Grievor Informs Mr. Walker she is Uncomfortable with Being Relieved by Mr. D’Orazio June 5,
2015
93. At approximately 0700hrs, the Grievor was informed that her relief was Mr. D’Orazio at
1900hrs. At approximately 1715hrs the Grievor informed YSM Walker that she did not feel
comfortable with Mr. D’Orazio relieving her. Mr. Walker told YSO Triemstra to switch duties with
the Grievor after kitchen duties.
94. The Grievor wrote a one-page note about this in the WDHP form.
The Grievor is scared to walk near Mr. D’Orazio June 7, 2015
95. The Grievor arrived at work at approximately 0635hrs. She saw Mr. D’Orazio and was scared to
be in close proximity to him at the walkway entrance. The Grievor was increasingly feeling unsafe
in her workplace.
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Grievor informed she would be scheduled in Cottage 6 and be relieved by Mr. D’Orazio June 8,
2015
96. The Grievor asked YSM Lewis why she wasn’t scheduled in her regular unit. Mr. Lewis told the
Grievor he would talk to her later. At the end of the day, YSM Lewis informed the Grievor that she
would be in Cottage 6 the next day as YSO D’Orazio would be in at 2300hrs.
The Grievor Informs Mr. Lewis She is Uncomfortable Relieving Mr. D’Orazio June 11, 2015
97. The Grievor reported for work at 0635hrs and asked YSM Lewis if Mr. D’Orazio was still in the
unit. The Grievor told Mr. Lewis she did not feel comfortable relieving Mr. D’Orazio and that she
would stay in the staff lounge until Mr. D’Orazio left the unit.
98. Mr. Lewis then sent YSO Ayotte to relieve Mr. D’Orazio. The Grievor hid in the staff lounge
waiting for Mr. D’Orazio to leave before she could proceed to her unit.
Mr. Lewis Repeatedly Inquired about the Grievor’s Reports
June 11, 2015 1720 hrs.
99. At 1720hrs Mr. Lewis told the Grievor that if her reports were not completed before 1900hrs,
the Grievor would have to finish them the next day. The Grievor told him her reports would be
completed. Mr. Lewis called the Grievor at approximately 1825hrs and asked if her reports were
done yet. The Grievor told Mr. Lewis her reports were done.
Grievor Informed of New Policy Regarding Breaks June 15, 2015
100. The Grievor was working in Cottage 3. At 1100hrs the Grievor asked Mr. Lewis if she could
go out for a break. Mr. Lewis told the Grievor, “We got a new memo that there are crucial times
when breaks can’t be taken. YSO Hooey is being relieved right now, so there is one staff already
doing other duties, so no.”
101. Later on in the Grievor’s shift the Grievor checked her emails in hopes that she would see the
memo to which Mr. Lewis had referred. The Grievor found no such memo. At supper, the Grievor
informed Mr. Lewis that she had not received any email regarding a change in the break policy. Mr.
Lewis shrugged.
Grievor Forced to Take On Additional Duties June 16, 2015
102. The Grievor was the Emergency Person (EP) on this day and as such, should not have had to
relieve anyone as she was supposed to be responding to emergencies. However, the Grievor had to
go into the kitchen area to relieve YSO Crystal Williams as she was in crisis and no other staff
members were showing any concern. This was another example of the unsupportive workplace.
The Grievor Sees Mr. D’Orazio and has Increased Anxiety. June 24, 2015
103. The Grievor was attempting to leave work at 1835 hrs. Mr. D’Orazio was approaching the
building. The Grievor experienced extreme anxiety. The Grievor was shaking and sweating head-
to-toe after seeing Mr. D’Orazio on the other side of the doors. She then realized she had forgotten
her sweater and would need to re-enter the building.
104. The Grievor saw Ms. Naumenko and YSM Labbe, who put his hand on the Grievor’s shoulder
and asked if she was okay. The Grievor told him she had no problem with the incident they just had
regarding a physical restraint, but she did have a problem with attempting to exit the building. The
Grievor told both YSMs Naumenko and Labbe she did not feel safe around Mr. D’Orazio and asked
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them how long the WDHP investigation would take. Ms. Naumenko informed the Grievor she is
supposed to have a conference call at 1000hrs the next day and may know more then.
Grievor is Scheduled with Mr. D’Orazio Again June 25, 2015
105. At approximately 0635hrs the Grievor reported for her 0700-1900 hour shift. The Grievor
arrived to the control office and saw she was originally scheduled in Cottage 3 but had been moved
to Cottage 6—Mr. D’Orazio’s post. She was to relieve Mr. D’Orazio according to the schedule. The
Grievor was signing out her keys and saw Mr. D’Orazio walking down the hallway. She became
tense. Soon after, the Grievor observed on the Allocation that Mr. D’Orazio would be the Grievor’s
relief at 1900 hrs.
The Grievor Informs Ms. Naumenko She Feels Unsafe. June 25, 2015
106. The Grievor approached Ms. Naumenko and said, “I do not feel safe and I do not feel that the
institution is allowing me a safe place to work. YSM Naumenko then told the Grievor that there
would be a meeting at 1040hrs.
107. Later, the Grievor was approached by Ms. Naumenko and told they had information on her
WDHP matters and wanted the Grievor to attend a meeting in Joe Shaw’s office.
Meeting with Joe Shaw--Grievor Informed of the Result of the WDHP Investigation. June 25, 2015,
1105hrs
108. YSO Chevrette, Ms. Naumenko, Mr. Shaw and the Grievor were present at this meeting. The
Grievor was told the matter involving Mr. Eugene D’Orazio was found to be out of scope and the
matter involving YSM Jennifer Brouillette was found to be in scope. Mr. Shaw and Ms. Naumenko
told the Grievor that the matter involving Mr. D’Orazio was not found to be in scope as it was an
isolated incident and not considered harassment.
109. Mr. Shaw and Ms. Naumenko told the Grievor that if the she had any questions to contact
WDHP Advisor Jody Warner with her concerns. The Grievor asked if discipline had been meted out
to either party, to which the Grievor was told that was confidential information.
110. Mr. Chevrette asked why it had taken two months to come to this conclusion, when in the
Grievor’s initial report the Grievor stated that she had felt “unsafe”. Mr. Chevette asked why
nothing was done to accommodate the situation and why the Grievor was constantly being put in
uncomfortable situations. Mr. Shaw shrugged his shoulders to all these questions.
111. The Grievor went home sick at 1204hrs.
Mr. D’Orazio Returns to Day Shifts in Cottage 6 June 29, 2015
112. The Grievor worked 0700-1500, Admit and Discharge out of Cottage 3.
Grievor’s call to WDHP Advisor Jody Warner June 30, 2015
113. The Grievor called Jody Warner hoping to get some answers. The Grievor explained to Ms.
Warner that she did not understand why these matters were not being dealt with. Ms. Warner
provided the Grievor with no answers. The Grievor asked why the process was confidential when
the Grievor was involved in the matter. Ms. Warner explained to the Grievor that Cecil Facer and
the Ministry could deal with matters in-house, and that they do not need to inform her of anything.
Post-Investigation Scheduling
July 3, 2015
114. The Grievor was scheduled as Cottage 3 staff. Mr. D’Orazio scheduled in Cottage 6.
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July 4, 2015
115. The Grievor was scheduled to Cottage 3 staff and one-to-one. Mr. D’Orazio was scheduled in
Cottage 6.
July 5, 2015
116. The Grievor was posted at Admit and Discharge out of Cottage 3. Mr. D’Orazio was posted in
Cottage 6.
Mr. D’Orazio Yelling at Youth July 8, 2015
117. While in the dining hall, the Grievor observed Mr. D’Orazio yelling at a Resident in a very
loud, intimidating voice. This further exhibited his violent and aggressive tendencies.
118. On July 10, 2015, the grievor and YOS Scott transferred 3 youths by flight to Fort Francis and
returned with one youth. The Employer allowed the Grievor to do a community escort.
Grievor Files Grievance 2015-0618-070 (Now 2015-0616-0013)
July 15, 2015
Grievor Files Grievance 2015-0618-071 (Now 2015-0616-0014)
July 15, 2015
Grievor’s Meeting with YSM Shaw- Informed She May Now be Scheduled with Mr. D’Orazio July
28, 2015
119. On July 28, 2015 the Grievor received a call from Don Genier that the Grievor was going to be
relieved in a few minutes by YSO Daigle because Mr. Shaw would like to speak to her.
120. The Grievor proceeded to the shift supervisors’ office after being relieved of her duties. YSMs
Brouillette, Genier and Naumenko were all sitting in the office chatting. The Grievor told YSM
Genier that she had been relieved of her duties and asked if she still had to stop at Mr. Shaw’s
office. YSM Genier told the Grievor she was free to leave, but also told her to stop by Mr. Shaw’s
office.
121. The Grievor proceeded to Mr. Shaw’s office and asked before entering if she needed union
representation. Mr. Shaw said he didn’t think so. Mr. Shaw then told the Grievor, “Because the
matter between you and Mr. D’Orazio has been dealt with, I just wanted to let you know that you
guys may now be scheduled together.” The Grievor sarcastically said “Excellent!” and walked out
of Mr. Shaw’s office.
122. On the drive home at the end of her shift, the Grievor was so upset she had to pull over to the
side of the highway. The Grievor remained there for over half hour until she felt she could drive
again.
Grievor has Anxiety when Seeing Mr. D’Orazio August 5, 2015
123. The Grievor was supposed to be working as an escort out of Cottage 6 but was busy relieving
the desk that morning. The Grievor stayed away from the Cottage as much as she could to
avoid Mr. D’Orazio. The Grievor did kitchen duty twice. When she was in the gym at
approximately 1420hrs with Mr. D’Orazio, she was very anxious.
Grievor Assigned to Cottage 6 with Mr. D’Orazio August 24, 2015
124. The Grievor told YSO Abar that she did not feel safe going over to the unit by herself. Ms.
Abar then accompanied the Grievor to the Cottage. The youth were beginning two weeks off of
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school, meaning the Grievor would be expected to be with her partner, Mr. D’Orazio, the entire
shift. Management was aware that the Grievor did not feel safe around Mr. D’Orazio.
125. The Grievor called Ms. Naumenko at 0722hrs and told her she was sick and needed to go
home. Ms. Naumenko called the Grievor back at approximately 0726hrs and said “you’re staying
there until I find someone.” The Grievor responded, “Yes, I would not abandon my post.”
126. At approximately 0735hrs Ms. Naumenko called back and said that YSO Faraguer was coming
in to relieve the Grievor. At 0837hrs, over an hour later, Ms. Faraguer entered the Cottage to relieve
the Grievor. The grievor did not feel safe being around Mr. D’Orazio.
Doctor Puts Grievor on Medical Leave August 26, 2015
127. The Grievor had a doctor’s appointment at 0945hrs with a GP who wasn’t her regular doctor.
That doctor wrote the Grievor a note saying “off due to an adjustment disorder”.
Grievor Requests to Not be Scheduled with Mr. D’Orazio Sept. 3, 2015
128. The Grievor called Ms. Naumenko and informed her she would be off until September 7. On
that call the Grievor requested to not work directly with Mr. D’Orazio.
Grievor Returns to Work Sept 7, 2015
129. The Grievor returns to work and is not scheduled directly with Mr. D’Orazio.
Doctor’s Note
Sept 8, 2015 0700-1900
130. The Grievor handed in her doctor’s note to Ms. Naumenko at 0945hrs.
Stage II Meeting and Overtime Disagreement September 29, 2015
131. At this meeting, it was agreed that mediators from the Ministry of Labour would be handling the
Grievor’s matter. Don Smith, Nicole Fournier, Blair Pitfield and the Grievor were all present.
132. The Grievor handed in her overtime sheet.
133. At approximately 0715 hours on October 1, 2015 Mr. Prudhomme entered the control office
and told the Grievor he had bad news: he informed the Grievor she was not entitled to be paid for
overtime because it wasn’t his section that had requested the Stage 2 meeting.
Grievor Discriminated Against Due to Accommodation October 1st, 2015
134. On October 1st, 2015, the Grievor was informed by YSO Gauthier that he was given an escort
for Monday October 5, 2015 to Timmins. Mr. Gauthier told the Grievor that her name had been
mentioned.
135. The Grievor called YSM Prudhomme and asked if the escort was already filled. Mr.
Prudhomme told the Grievor that he had called YSO Korosec to give him the escort duty, but he
had not gotten an answer. Mr. Prudhomme informed the Grievor that she was next up and that Dan
Gauthier and the Grievor could go.
136. At approximately 1150hrs the Grievor received a call from Mr. Prudhomme and was told that
she could not go because she was on a day shift accommodation. The Grievor was discriminated
against due to her day shift accommodation.
Grievor Scheduled with Mr. D’Orazio October 1st, 2015
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137. At approximately 1630hrs the Grievor was in Cottage 6 with YSO Giroux and YSO D’Orazio.
The Grievor was getting very agitated in the unit around Mr. D’Orazio and Ms. Brouillette. YSM
Brouilette was in her office with Youth K braiding her hair. The Grievor said “I wonder if I have to
do kitchen” and picked up the phone and called extension 283 but there was no answer in the shift
supervisor’s office.
138. The Grievor then pretended to be talking to YSM Chevrier and said “I’m on my way.” The
Grievor went to the main building and spoke to YSM Chevrier and told him that she was absolutely
not staying in the unit with Mr. D’Orazio by herself. The Grievor also asked why there had been
changes to the Allocation as Mr. D’Orazio was supposed to have been working in Cottage 3. Mr.
Chevrier provided the Grievor with no answers.
Grievor Harassed by Mr. Shaw October 5, 2015
139. At approximately 1255hrs, Mr. Shaw said the following to the Grievor several times: “I’ve
been told you want a transfer to Cottage 3.” The Grievor told Mr. Shaw that he had the wrong
information and that she had never once requested to go to Cottage 3. Mr. Shaw said, “We have
YSM Prudhomme right here who could make it happen.” The Grievor said to both, “I have never
requested to go to 3 and you, Mr. Shaw, have the wrong information.” Mr. Shaw then said “I must
have the wrong information” and walked away.
Co-Worker’s Death October 9, 2015
140. The staff was told by Superintendent Claude St. Jean that Crystal Williams had died that
morning. She had been found dead at home by YSM Brouillette. The Grievor was very upset by this
news.
141. October 13 was the birthday of the grievor’s late brother, who passed away September 13,
2009. That day was also the day of YOS Crystal Williams’ funeral. Dave Lewis, YSM, was not
permitted to attend the funeral. Ms. Williams had laid criminal charges against YSM Lewis.
142. At the Grievor’s appointment with her family doctor on October 21, 2015, she informed the
doctor she was having a hard time coping with the death of her co-worker, Ms. Williams, but did
not want to be off work. The doctor referred the Grievor to Psychologist Dr. Michel Lariviere.
143. On or about October 19, 2015, the grievor was leaving work when a vehicle backed up to the
entrance of the Centre. In the vehicle was Bonnie Demeule. Ms. Rizozo greeted Ms. Demuele, who
immediately started crying. She advised the grievor that when Ms. Demeule had informed Mr.
Shaw earlier that day that her sick leave was extended by her doctor, Mr. Shaw told her she would
have to empty her office that day as they needed the office space. The grievor assisted Ms. Demeule
in emptying her office, which was full, and left the institution at approximately 2000 hours.
Mediators Changed after Agreement re: MOL Mediators without Consent of Grievor/ Union
October 23, 2015
144. At the Stage II meeting it had been agreed that mediators from the Ministry of Labour would be
handling the Grievor’s matter. The Grievor agreed to this process as long as Mr. Blair Pitfield would be
present at the mediation.
145. At approximately 1500hrs Mr. Shaw approached the Grievor and asked her to go to his office.
The Grievor went to Mr. Shaw’s office and he explained that he and two mediators (1 YSO from
Sprucedale and 1 Probation Officer from Mississauga) would conduct the mediation. The Grievor
informed Mr. Shaw that this was not her understanding, as it had been made very clear in the Stage
II meeting that it would be a Ministry of Labour mediator.
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146. The Grievor called Mr. Pitfield at approximately 1530hrs and informed him of what she had
been told by Mr. Shaw. Mr. Pitfield agreed that at the meeting it was agreed that there would be
outside mediators from the Ministry of Labour.
Sick Day October 28, 2015
147. The Grievor called in sick as she was anxious about having to attend the Trauma Seminar the
next day. The Grievor never got picked to attend any seminars or workshops, but was told she
would be required to attend the Trauma Seminar.
Grievor Scheduled with Mr. D’Orazio Nov. 2, 2015
148. On this day, the Grievor was working a 0700-1900 shift as Cottage 6 staff. Mr. D’Orazio was
assigned to the SIU and was out of Cottage 6 from 0700-1500. Mr. D’Orazio was assigned from
1500-1900 as Cottage staff. YSO Gauthier was not in the unit from 1500-1900, as he was hanging
out with YSM and control.
149. On or around this date the grievor wrote an occurrence report relating to the neglect of a
youth’s medical needs. The grievor had made several attempts to draw attention to this issue prior
to writing the report. The youth was having problems with his feet, which the grievor researched at
home. Unlike other departments, the grievor and Youth Services Officers do not have internet
access at work.
Grievor’s Talk with Mr. Shaw Nov. 2, 2015
150. At approximately 1503hrs the Grievor was on duty on academic bench. Mr. Shaw sat beside the
Grievor and started speaking a voice low enough that the Grievor could not understand what he was
trying to say. The Grievor then heard Mr. Shaw say, “I just spoke to on his way to island.” The Grievor
was confused and asked Mr. Shaw what he was trying to say? Mr. Shaw said “I just spoke to Mr.
Pitfield and he is on his way to the Island.” The Grievor asked Mr. Shaw what he was trying to tell her.
This exchange was confusing to the Grievor.
151. The Grievor then told Mr. Shaw, “It has been over six months. I am upset and I feel that I have
been harassed for trying to stand up for myself.” Mr. Shaw continued to sit beside the Grievor,
which made her increasingly upset and uncomfortable. The Grievor told Mr. Shaw that she will no
longer allow anyone to harass, bully, or disrespect her anymore. The Grievor also told him she was
disgusted with how her issues had been dealt with.
152. Mr. Shaw looked at the Grievor with a strange look and said “just hand in grievances.” The
Grievor responded, “Grievances? Nothing is even done when grievances are handed in. And on top
of that, I don’t know how to write them. Will you help?’ Mr. Shaw said, “Oh no, I can’t help you.”
The Grievor looked at him and said “I will take care of myself. I’m telling you I will never be
treated like this again.”
Grievor Scheduled to Same Cottage as Harasser November 7, 2015
153. On November 7, 2015 the Grievor arrived at work and noticed she was scheduled in Cottage 6
with Mr. D’Orazio. The Grievor proceeded to the shift supervisor’s office and told Mr. Sheer that
she was either going home sick or would have to change posts. The Grievor expressed her
frustration that nothing had been done about the situation since April. Mr. Sheer told the Grievor
that he was unaware of any issues and told the Grievor he couldn’t afford her going home sick. Mr.
Sheer then changed the Grievor’s assignment to Admit and Discharge duties, away from the
harasser.
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154. On or about this date, another employee, Amanda Derks, advised the youth with the foot
problems noted above to call the advocate about his feet. A call was made by the youth to the
Advocate.
155. On November 12, 2015 the grievor observed that the youth’s feet were being soaked for the
first time.
156. The grievor was assigned to a suicide watch with respect to this same youth, youth “R”. When the
youth awoke, he was very agitated. He began listening to rap music on his MP3 player, singing out loud
to the rap music. The lyrics were extremely inappropriate. The youth was singing about killing,
murdering, and rape, and similar extremely offensive content.
157. On or around the same date, another youth, youth “G”, caused a disturbance in a classroom.
The youth kicked chairs around the room and threw a desk. The youth was removed from the
classroom and taken outside. Youth Services Manager Naumenko, who had no knowledge of the
incident and had not observed it, came over to see the youth and began to rub the youth’s back. The
youth responded by stating “don’t fucking touch me”.
158. On another occasion, on November 18, Youth Services Manager Brouilette was sitting in her
office while a youth was causing a disturbance in the cottage. The grievor asked YSM Brouilette to
come and deal with the youth. YSM Brouilette refused, and told the grievor to call YSM Jeff Paul,
shift supervisor, to come over to the cottage from the main building.
Grievor Denied Pre-Approved Time-off December 2, 2015
159. The Grievor went to see Mr. Prudhomme about vacation for the following Friday. Mr.
Prudhomme said the Grievor could have the rest of the week off. The Grievor decided to take four
hours off from 1100 to 1500 the next day and 0700 to 1500 on the following day.
160. The next day, on December 3, 2015, YSM Naumenko called the Grievor at approximately
1030hrs and told her that there will be a phone call coming in for her in half an hour. The Grievor
told Ms. Naumenko that she had taken four hours off, was just waiting for her relief and would then
leave. Ms. Naumenko told the Grievor that her shift did not end until 1100hrs and that Ms.
Naumenko was following direction from Mr. Shaw.
161. Employees typically arrive 20 minutes prior to the start of their shift and relieve employees
coming off shift. It is typical, once relieved, for employees to leave even if this is before the precise
hour on which their shift ends, as they typically arrive early and are relieved early as well. It is and
was unusual to be specifically required to remain until 1100 hours despite relief.
Grievor has Incident with YSO Mayhew and YSO Abar in control office.
December 3, 2015
162. YSO Mr. Greg Mayhew yelled at and pushed Ms. Crystal Abar in the control office as he was
upset that she was not early. The Grievor witnessed this and ran and his in the office, as she became
very stressed in the poisoned work environment.
Grievor needs to complain about youth with a nicotine patch
163. On December 18, the grievor was working with a youth who was wearing a nicotine patch,
given to the youth by healthcare. It is not typically permitted for youth to be given nicotine patches.
The grievor had to complain about this, and after she did so the patch was removed from the youth.
Grievor Begins Twice-Monthly Appointments with Psychologist. Jan 11, 2016
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164. Grievor saw Dr. Lariviere on January 11 and 22.
Poisoned Work Environment Feb 4, 2016
165. The Grievor overheard a colleague making fun of another YSO for having PTSD. This further
added to the poisoning of the Grievor’s work environment. Refusal of Break Feb 24, 2016
166. The Grievor worked the first of five 0700-1500 one-to-one shifts on suicide watch with
Resident Z from 0630hrs to 1100hrs. The Grievor requested a break from YSM Sheer and
Superintendent St. Jean, with YSM Derks present. The Grievor was not allowed a break and left
work at 1130hrs.
167. The Grievor spoke to YSM Labbe at approximately 0900hrs and told him her concerns about
the MP3 player being shared between Resident Z and Resident M.
Grievor Leaves for Approved Break Feb 25, 2016
168. While working a one-to-one suicide watch from 0640hrs to 1000hrs, Mr. Sheer tells the
Grievor that YSO Langevin will be leaving the grounds for about 45 minutes and that she can go for
a quick smoke break before he leaves. The Grievor said she would appreciate that and thanked him.
Mr. Scott relieved the Grievor of one-to-one duties at 1020hrs and the Grievor went out for a break.
Mr. Prudhomme Requests Grievor Write Occurrence Report about Leaving Early Feb 26, 2016
169. At 1330hrs while the Grievor is on duty, Mr. Prudhomme informs her that she has to write an
occurrence report as to why she left early the day before. The Grievor responded, “I guess I am not
allowed to leave work without that report being written?” Mr. Prudhomme said “Yes, they want it
before you leave today.” The Grievor sarcastically told Mr. Prudhomme she would try to write her
report while she supervises a one-to-one on suicide watch. Mr. Prudhomme told the Grievor he
would provide relief. The Grievor agreed. She was then relieved of her one-to-one duties by Mr.
Levesque.
170. The Grievor then went out front at approximately 1410hrs so she could call Ms. St. Amand.
She returned at approximately 1430hrs. The Grievor asked YSM Paul if there was a computer she
could use. She went to the radio room and opened her email but her mailbox was full so she had to
delete several emails. This took the Grievor some time. The Grievor ultimately worked from 1500
to 1700hrs writing the report. he Grievor Rewrite her Report. Feb 27, 2016 0700-1500
171. YSM Prudhomme called the Grievor and asked her to come to his office. He told the Grievor
that Mr. Shaw would like her to re-write her report with more information because Mr. Shaw is
worried about WDHP. The Grievor told Mr. Prudhomme she was exhausted and would not rewrite
her report. She said that if she is not allowed to leave unless she rewrites her report, then she would
write it after finding a safe place to do so and would go to sleep until she was allowed to go home.
The Grievor was then permitted to go home without rewriting her report.
Grievor Confiscates MP3 Player from Resident March 4, 2016
172. The Grievor had already raised the fact that Resident M had an MP3 player, that he did not
own, with Mr. Labbe, the Cottage 3 Manager, on February 24, 2016. The Grievor informed Mr.
Labbe she was now in possession of the MP3 player as she had confiscated it as she had reason to
question its contents.
Mr. Shaw Approaches Grievor Regarding Email, Report and MP3 Player March 8, 2016
173. Mr. St. Jean was standing a few feet behind Mr. Shaw when Mr. Shaw informed the Grievor
that he would need an Occurrence Report about the MP3 incident. The Grievor told Mr. Shaw that
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she would write the report but that she was in training until 1500hrs and EP from 1500- 1900. The
Grievor told Mr. St. Jean and Mr. Shaw that she needed the resident’s MP3 player, which had been
the source of the issue, to write her reports. Both men appeared annoyed to the Grievor.
174. At approximately 0827hrs, the Grievor told Mr. Shaw she could write her reports once she was
relieved of her duties. Mr. Shaw told the Grievor to go to her training and that he would have her
relieved at some point to write her reports. As the Grievor walked away Mr. St. Jean said, “That
MP3 player and report should have been dealt with on Friday.” The Grievor proceeded with YSO
Albert to Cottage 1.
175. When the Grievor arrived at Cottage 1 at approximately 0831hrs, YSO Trainer Vendette told
her that he had just received a call saying the Grievor was to return to the office. YSO Walsh
(Union) accompanied the Grievor back to the office.
176. As Mr. Shaw was not in his office, Mr. Walsh and the Grievor continued to Mr. St Jean’s
office, where he told the Grievor she did not need to speak to Mr. Shaw, but that she would be
removed from Training to write her reports.
177. The Grievor got her earphones from her car, went to the staff lounge and began writing her
Occurrence Report. At approximately 1109hrs, Mr. St. Jean walked in the lounge, gave the Grievor
an unfriendly look and walked back out. The Grievor left work at 1600hrs.
178. On March 11, the grievor left work early after being interrogated, lied to and intimidated by
Mr. Shaw.
YSO Makes Inappropriate Gesture to YSM in Dining Hall March 26, 2016
179. On March 26 a YSO made an inappropriate gesture in the dining hall.
180. In particular, as of 0753 hours, YSO Derek Coffyn still had not reported for his 0700 shift. Mr.
Coffyn often arrived late, but nothing was done to correct this. In the dining hall that day, Mr.
Coffyn made an inappropriate gesture – a gesture to “suck him off” – to Youth Services Manager
Paul Scheer.
181. This was unacceptable behaviour and further added to the Grievor’s poisoned work
environment.
Grievor learns of Discipline of Youth Services Manager Guy Prudhomme
182. On March 11, the grievor learned that Youth Services Manager Guy Prudhomme was
receiving discipline for the meeting he attended with the grievor on March 11. This was very upset
and felt responsible for Mr. Prudhomme receiving a disciplinary suspension.
Request for Explanation for Absence March 30, 2016
183. The Grievor was given a brown confidential envelope from YSM Sheer and was asked to write
a report as to why she left on March 11 and March 12.
184. The grievor was exhausted mentally, emotionally and physically and left work sick at 1500
hours.
Sick Days March 31, 2016
185. The Grievor called in sick at approximately 1900hrs.
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April 3, 2016
186. The Grievor called in and told Mr. Chevrier she was calling in sick for April 4 and April 5.
Mr. Chevrier told the Grievor she could only call in sick for one shift at a time, and that she would
have to call back the next day.
April 4, 2016
187. The Grievor called in sick at approximately 1900hrs for April 5. She spoke to YSM St.
George, who had no issues with her call.
Grievor Files Grievance 2016-0618-0004
April 7, 2016
Sick Days:
April 7, 2016
188. The Grievor called in sick at approximately 1900hrs for April 8, 2016.
April 8, 2016
189. The Grievor called in sick at approximately 1900hrs for April 9. She spoke to YSM Walker,
who told the Grievor it was her fifth consecutive day off sick, and that she would need a doctor’s
note to return to work.
April 9, 2016
190. The Grievor called in sick at 1900hrs for April 10. She spoke with YSM Walker.
April 12, 2016
191. The Grievor called in sick and spoke to YSM Paul. He asked the Grievor when her next
doctor’s appointment would be. The Grievor told Mr. Paul she would be seeing her doctor Saturday
April 16, 2016 at 0930hrs. Mr. Paul told the Grievor that Upper Management had sent him an
urgent message saying they would not grant the Grievor sick time without a doctor’s note, and that
the Grievor would have to start taking the days as unpaid leaves of absence. Crying, the Grievor
told YSM Paul she would have a note by Saturday morning at the earliest, when she was seeing her
doctor.
April 13, 2016
192. The Grievor called in sick for April 14 and spoke to YSM Walker. He said “Ok” Sick Leave
March 30, 2016.
193. The Grievor was been on a sick leave subsequent to March 30 2016.
Refusal to permit grievor to return to work June 19, 2018 Page 45 of 62
194. The grievor had seen an occupational therapist for approximately two months prior to
attending work on June 19. A return to work plan approved by Manulife had the grievor returning to
work on June 19. ON June 19, the grievor presented at work at went approximately 06:55 hours. At
approximately 0705 hours the grievor was told by YSM Ron Erwin that she was not allowed to be
there and had to leave.
195. The grievor was extremely confused and questioned Mr. Erwin as to why she had to leave, and
told him that June 19 was supposed to be my first day back to work. The grievor felt intimidated
and bullied. Again Mr. Erwin told the grievor that she was not allowed to be there and told her she
had to leave, He told her if I had any questions to call Manulife or to call Derek Goudreau after
0800 hours.
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196. The grievor was extremely depressed leaving the institution. She did not know what was going
on and could not call Manulife or her doctor until they opened. She was escorted by YSM Ron
Erwin to the front door and left the institution.
197. She filed a grievance dated July 19, 2018 in response to this incident, alleging that the
Employer by failing to permit her to return to work, and failing to accept her medical information,
was in breach of the Ontario Human Rights Code as well as articles 2, 3 and 9 of the Collective
Agreement.
The Grievor’s health and safety concerns were ignored
198. The Grievor continued to experience significant workplace issues and was increasingly
stressed and felt that the employer was not addressing her concerns and taking the issues seriously.
The Grievor then filed 18 Grievances on September 19, 2021.
199. On or about January 8, 2021, the Grivor had concerns about discrepancy in her pay cheque and
the amount dispersed. The Grievor conveyed the concern to Ron Erwin, the Administrator, when
she saw him in the Academic Hallway, and requested that something needed to be done to rectify
the discrepancy. Ron did not say much and shrugged his shoulder in an uncomfortable way. He later
on called the Grievor on her home phone to suggest that he had brought the issue to the
management. The Grievor felt anxious and stressed about her pay and spent a good part of the night
trying to figure out what she was owed. Here are examples of her pay checks:
• October 2, 2020 $1793,50
• October 15, 2020 did not receive a paycheck
• October 29, 2020 1777.00
• November 12, 2020
• November 26, 2020
• December 10, 2020
• December 15, 2020 $1611.83
• December 29, 2020 did not receive a paycheck
• January 7, 2021 $3.88
200. On February 24, 2021 received an envelope from Terry Labbe on behalf of his wife, Roxanne
Labbe. The letter required the Grievor to write an occurrence report prior to the end of her shift
concerning her interaction with Roxanne on February 19, 2022. On March 7, the Grievor submitted
the occurrence report to SYM Alex Baril at 18:04pm.
201. On March 10, 2021, the Grievor met with YSM JR Chevrette, Ron Erwin and YSO AL
Frappier union president. Ron stated that he wanted to squash her occurrence report dated March 7,
as it could cause problems to CFYC. Grievor stated her disagreement at the meeting with this
approach.
202. On May 24, 2021 the Grievor attempted to restrain a youth involved in a physical altercation
with another youth. At the time of the occurrence, the Grievor was working in Cottage 3 along with
YSO AL Frappier. They were both in the lounge area when one of the youths ran at the other youth,
jumped the chairs and the tables, and was about to assault him. YSO Al Frappier tried to prevent the
youth from launching forward from one side of the table. The Grievor also tried to restrain the
youth from the other side of the table. The other youth reacted and attempted to punch the youth but
instead severely hit the Grievor on the forehead. The Grievor then fell backyards and felt the impact
on her right shoulder and back of her head. The Grievor then lost hold of the youth in her hands and
arms but continued to restrain him between her legs until someone else hand cuffed him.
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203. When the Grievor was punched in the forehead, she was taken to the clinic via a nurse’s
personal car instead of an ambulance. The Grievor felt unwell but also unsafe given that the driver
was speeding 35km over the limit on their way to the Four Corners clinic in her ex-husband’s her.
The Grievor wondered why she was being treated differently than others when injuries occurred.
The workplace seemed not consistent procedures when staff are injured; some staff are transferred
to clinics by their own vehicles, while others transported by ministry vehicle or an ambulance.
204. The treating doctor at Four Corners Clinic diagnosed the Grievor and stated that she had
sustained a concussion for which she would needed to be away from work for a week in order to
recover. The Grievor was put on WSIB for a week.
205. Upon return to work a week after, the Grievor did not have any back to work meeting. There
were no discussions about the nature of the incident and what had happened to the Grievor. No
concerns were shown in how the incident may had undermined the Grievor’s well-being and safety,
nor there were any steps taken in ensuring similar incidents would not happen or would not lead to
injuries to the Grievors or others. The Grievor was unsure whether the employer had filled out the
WSIB paperwork and provided them with the information requested.
206. Upon return, in June, 2021 the Grievor returned to work but she worked with the youth whom
had punched her in a classroom. At the time, teachers were not in the same classroom as the youth
because of the COVID restriction. However, the Grievor was put in the classroom without backup,
and with two youth to take care of. The youth were not cooperative. They were not doing the
assignment they were assigned on the computer but instead they were touching other items and
were unresponsive to anything the Grievor instructed them to do. The youth would ignore the
Grievor and at some point, one of them decided to run out of the classroom and towards the
principle’s office. The Grievor was then relieved of her duties by YSO Hall. It seemed that the
Grievor was removed the classroom. The Grievor believes that the unruly youth were not dealt with
and instead she was punished despite the difficult position she was placed in.
207. The Grievor decided to discuss some of her safety concerns with Rob Erwin in the Dinning
Hall. She told him that safety rules needed to be put in place and enforced in order to prevent more
accidents. The Grievor states that there were no street lights and stop signs. Ron had told the
Grievor that YSM JR Chevrette would be looking into the issues. The Grievor stated that the safety
items were a matter of necessity and needed to be addressed quickly before additional incidents
would occur. Ron proceeded to ignore everything the Greivor had said and instead told the Grievor
that “if you need time off, take it”. The Grievor shook her head in disbelief at the carelessness
concerning safety of staff and decided to not engage with Rob anymore.
208. The Grievor was off on WSIB June 3rd to July 18, 2021 and return on July 19th, 2021. On July
13, 2021 the Grievor returned a call to Ron Erwin and spoke with him for few minutes. The Grievor
explained to him that a plan was submitted to the WSIB to the effect that she would have to follow
the gradual schedule: week 1 would be 4 hour shifts; week 2 would be 8 hours; week 3 would be 8
hours; week 4 would be back to 8 hour shifts and in week 5, on a trial basis, the Grievor would be
back to 12 hours shift.
209. Two days later, on July 15, 2021, Ron Erwin informed me that WSIB hasn’t shared anything
with them yet. The Grivor informed Ron that the WSIB form 26 was completed and submitted on
June 30th, and that progress report was also completed since then.
210. On July 19th, 2021, the Grievor returned back to work on a gradual schedule that WSIB had
advised. WSIB informed the Grievor that they had spoken with Roxanne Labbe and that her return
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to work was in place. The WSIB case worker stated that given the return to work procedure was in
place, she would no longer be needed. The Grievor continued her work shift as instructed.
211. On August 14, 2021 the Grievor’s family had been exposed to COVID-19. The Grievor was
tested for COVID-19 on August 16 and August 20, 2021. The Grievor followed public health
advice since then.
212. On August 2, 2021, at 12:40pm, the Grievor leaving the Dinning Hall and noticed that the
youth started heading to the academic Hallways. This was contrary to the plans and what the
Grievor was told about their schedule. The Grievor advice the youth that they were going back to
Cottage. However, YSO P. Walsh contradicted the Grievor and said “No they are going to room
#7” and thereby created a conflict in the instruction between what the Grievor had advised and what
the youth ended up doing. YSO P. Walsh then left the Grievor and the youth by themselves (which
is contrary to the safety protocols of making sure that there are always more than one staff present
when accompanying youth) and stated that he would “have to go relieve Mason”.
213. The Grievor was then left with no choice but to follow the youth into room #7 with 3 youth.
YSO K.D. Frappler was also present in room #7. The Grievor states that she witnessed one of the
youth sitting behind a computer, trying to log into a Netflix account. Up until the point, the Grievor
was never told about any authorized use of Netflix at the facilities and found this surprising and
contrary to the protocol. The Grievor then told the youth that he was not allowed on the computer.
YSM Cartey- Johnson instructed the youth to get off the computer. The youth reluctantly complied.
He YSO Cartey- Johnson then tried to find the password for the Netflix account but was unable to
find anything. Hethen proceeded to call YSO B. Wabon to ask her if she knew what the account and
password needed to go on to Netflix. At that point., YSO P. Walsh entered the room and said: “you
guys don’t know the password”. He then went on the computer and entered what seemed to the
Grievor to be his personal Netflix account. The Grievor questioned this behavior and asked YSO
Gartey-Johnson if YSO P.Walsh was in fact using his personal account.
214. The Grievor was particularly concerned for her safety following her attempt to follow the
procedures carefully while other staff ignored the workplace policies. The Grievor had become a
target for the youth for not being lenient and lose with the rules. Staff who ignored the procedures
and gave the youth access to the computer and the Netflix account were naturally favored by the
youth. The Grievor feared that as a result of her not having a Netflix account, and not sharing her
account if she had one, she would be targeted by the youth. The staff’s conduct effectively created
animosity and conflict between the youth and the Grievor and the staff.
215. On August 25, 2021 the Grievor was on duty in Cottage 3 when she found that a youth was
carrying an MP3 with him. The Grievor instructed the youth to leave his MP3 player in his room
and accompanied him to his room so that she could monitor that the youth would not continue using
the MP3. The youth was not pleased with the Grievor when she attempted to enforce the policy on
the use of MP3s. The youth told the Grievor “you can go now Miss”. The youth had managed to
still carry the MP3 with him. When the Grievor left, the youth followed her a few minutes later in
the hallway and had managed to carry the MP3 with him. After attending a fire drill, YSO Ernie St.
Jean told the Gievor that she was in possession of the MP3 but that she did not know how to turn it
off. The Grievor told Erin that she knew how to turn it off and she could show her. The Grievor also
informed Ernie that she would be writing a behavioral report on the youth for leaving the Cottage
with his MP3.
216. The Grievor also informed YSM Chevertte that she was aware of the inappropriate content of
songs on the MP3s and that she would hold on to the MP3 in her possession until she had reviewed
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some of its content and kept a record. The Grievor found the content of the MP3s to be encouraging
criminal behavior, containing offensive and extremely inappropriate language towards women,
racial slurs and sexually explicit lyrics. The Grievor had provided many examples [see Exhibit X)
of the song lyrics and strongly believes that:
217. The lyrics are highly inappropriate for the young age of the youth she deals with;
218. her health and safety are at risk when she works with youth who are listening to these lyrics
and are encouraged to act upon them at her workplace.
219. The lyrics contain sexually explicit and extremely offense language towards women, and
therefore, she fears that her attempt at enforcing these rules are meant to ensure greater workplace
safety, but she may well be targeted.
220. The Grievor then reported these concerns to YSO Chevrette in the hope that her concerns
would be addressed. YSO Chevrette, suggested that they would look into the MP3s for any
inappropriate language in the morning. However, the Grievor found out later that the MP3 was
returned to the youth after soon she had left by another manager. The Grievor believes that this
behavior effectively created a divide between those followed and enforced the rules and those who
did not in order to be favor by the youth.
221. The Grievor also takes issue with how the credit-based system to obtain MP3s and
downloading privileges are ignored. The Grievor points out that she had found over 809 songs
downloaded on the MP3. The Grievor explains that in order to download a large number of songs,
the youth must have to had to earn certain number of credits through their work [Exhibit X] . It
would be extremely unlikely, if not impossible, that the youth had retained enough credit to get both
the MP3s and then the hundreds of songs in it.
222. The Griever asserted that she had been threatened 3 times on August 25 and August 26. The
Grievor asserts that she had overheard youth threatening her when the youth was talking to JR
Chevrette by stating that he “knows who’s doing this and he is going to do something about it”. The
Grievor alleges that she heard JR Chevrette saying “leave the threatening part out but everything
else you said was good”. The Grievor had gone to Ron Erwin to file the report and state that she
was extremely concerned about her wellbeing and safety, but no meeting was scheduled in order to
deal with this serious workplace safety matter.
223. Furthermore, the Grievor asserts that despite ongoing safety concerns, such as threats and
assault inflicted on the Grievor, management failed to provide her with a safety plan at work.
Furthermore, the Grievor brought the issue of the use of MP3s with inappropriate content to Ron
Erwin. Ron has promised the Grievor that the MP3 that she had confiscated from the youth, would
not be returned. However, the Grievor found out that shortly after she left work, the youth got his
MP3 back. When the Grievor inquired about why the youth was given his MP3 back despite the
disturbing and inappropriate content, member of management told her that some of the songs were
deleted. The Grievor reminded the management team that there were hundreds of songs saved on
the MP3 and therefore deleting some would not amount to much by way of resolving an issue that
should have already been addressed long ago. When the Grivor had another discussion with Ron
Erwin, he proceeded to call the Grievor a liar and questioned her motive in filing grievances and
incident reports. Ron Erwin stated that some of her reports will go to a garbage bin, effectively
admitting that many, if not all of the Grievor’s safety concerns were mocked and not taken
seriously. Ron Erwin went on to suggest that the Grievor had some ulterior motive in arbitration
and instead questioned what the Grievor wanted from the process. The Grievor believes her
mistreatment in this manner further created and contributed to a poisonous work environment.
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224. The Grievor alleges that several staff members were clearly aware and may have contributed to
downloading some of the highly offensive and inappropriate songs that were on the MP3s. The
Grievor believes that the unauthorized use of the MP3s and the content of songs are both a violation
of the workplace policy and a contributing factor to the prevalence of violence in the workplace
endangering her safety and wellbeing. The Grievor further asserts that given her stand on the use of
MP3s, and given that the youth are aware of her attempt to restrict their use, she would be targeted
and potentially assaulted.
225. The Grievor was given a hand written note from a youth stating what he had heard YSM JR
had told him: “sometimes Fights needs to happen so ppl learn”{Exhibit]. The Grievor states that the
youth reported to her that JR Chevrette had said this. This threat occurred in the context of a period
where many staff experienced injuries. The Grievor felt extremely scared and took the threat quite
seriously.
226. The Grievor refers to a detailed report she drafted in March 8, 2016 where she notified
member of the management team about the unauthorized use of MP3s. Her valid concerns about the
MP3 use, and the content therein, was ignored.
227. The Grievor asserts that the DVD programing, the MP3 credit-based use policy and the PS3
gaming program are not enforced and youth get differential treatment from different staff members.
The Grievor would put a target on her back if she were to enforce the policy and program as
devised. The Grievor alleges that management was not concerned about the programing that would
assist youth and certainly would create an toxic work environment where violent language and
action was deemed acceptable through the use of game consoles and music lyrics.
228. A co-worker approached, Sarah Jamison-Cloutier, and reported that YSM Terry Labbe had
sent her a message of sexual nature that made her uncomfortable. She had filed a grievance and as a
result that she did not have to work with Terry. However, Terry was placed with her and worked
with her. The employer had not done an internal investigation to ensure the harassment-free
workplace.
229. The Grievor alleges that by not sharing the findings of the searches, the employer is
endangering the staff’s working environment. The lack of proper communication meant that the
Grievor was working in an environment where she was unaware of some of the risks associated
with the industry. If report finding are not shared with staff, the staff would be unaware of priorities
and action items needed to address urgent issues.
230. The Grievor has submitted documents and states that after several employees were assaulted,
the employer did not take reasonable action to prevent predictable acts of violence against staff.
231. The Grievor has provided an extensive list of all songs in an MP3 to show that the lyrics are
extremely inappropriate, and encourage violent behavior towards women. The Grievor believes that
the recreational officers was either aware, or should have been aware, of the content of songs that
were downloaded and made available for youth to access. Enabling the youth by downloading
content on in the internet instead of the use of bonus program was contrary to the workplace policy
and further created conflict and potential violence for staff.
232. The Grievor asserts that on August 8, 2021 at approximately 12:45 at CGYC, she was assigned
to 1 to 1 duties in cottage 3. The Grievor was working 1 to 1 with a youth at 7-11am. At
approximately 10:50 YSM Gartney- Johnson came to the unit to distribute medications. YSO P.
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Walsh asked him if there was any other medication to hand out. YSM Gartney Johnson said there
was confusion with the medication as the picture o the youth of their zip log/envelope was not the
same as the name assigned. As the Grievor was walking back, a youth told her that he is not on
meds but was given a medication the day before. The youth stated to the Grievor that he was given
the medication yesterday and they made him extremely tired and he slept a lot. The youth stated “I
am not taking those again”.
233. The Grievor notes an incident that on Tuesday November 23, 2021 at approximately 11:50am
she was attending the Cecil Facer Youth Centre. Nick Charlemagne then entered Cottage 3 with 3
youth, namely J, T and K. YSO Cody Passanen and YSO Dominique Jayetelike were in the unit
with 4 other youth. Three of the four youth, Y, G, Jayden and H were in the unit on Special
Program or Modified Program. Generally, YPs who had assaulted or threaten either staff or other
YPs are placed in the named programs. The YPs are expected to remain in their units.
234. The Grievor alleges that as she entered the Cottage, she saw YSO Dominique trying to deal
with YP G., who appeared unruly. He was speaking disrespectfully and ordered YSO Dominique
Jayetelike (J.D) to put a phone call through for him. YP Gabe then went to the lounge and stood
there watching the TV. YSO JD repeatedly ordered YP G to go back to his room but his instructions
were ignored. YP G then decided to ask for a phone call again and walked to the phone room and
demanded that YSO J.D arrange the phone call for him. YSO J.D and the Grievor then attempted to
find the contact info in the contacts binder for the person that YP G had demanded a phone call
with. As they tried to find the phone number, YP G said “Just dial the fucking number, you fucking
idiots”. YSO Cody Pasanen told the Grievor and YSO J.D that there is a yellow sticky note on one
of the back pages of the binder and they finally found it. YP G was increasingly aggressive and
escalated the situation and started yelling at YSO J.D “You fucking idiot, are you fucking stupid,
dial the fucking number now”. AT approximately 12:50, the Grievor left the door at the staff’s
office and told YP G “don’t speak to staff like that, it’s unacceptable and go to your room now”.
The Grievor then picked up the phone and called YSM Fabien Gartney Johnson and told him that
they needed him in the cottage immediately. The Grievor was still on the phone when YP G started
saying “nobody fucking yells at me” swearing at her and calling her a fucking bitch and threatened
to assault her again. YP G then ran from the phone room, jumped the chairs and launched a punch
to the left side of the Grievor’s forehead. To the best of her knowledge, the Grievor believes, she
was punched several more times. YP G then got a hold of the Grievor’s hair on the front top left
side of her head. At that point all 4 staff mentioned were down on the floor with YP G. The Grievor
then lost consciousness for a period of time. Then she remembered squealing loudly a few times
and telling her colleagues “he has my hair”. The Grievor states that she couldn’t see anything. The
restrain continued and finally the Grievor and others were able to unblocking YP G’s grip on her
hair. The Grievor got up from the floor, dazed, injured and confused and touched her hair and
noticed that a clump of hair appeared in her hand. YP Tyler then went to the Grievor and put his
arm around her, wanting to redirected her. After a few moments, the Grievor went to the Life Line
and activated the Blue Button, but she realized that no one was there to respond. YSM Fabien
entered the cottage. The Grievor then went to the radio and said “all available managers, not doing
anything report to cottage 6”. The Grievor told YSM Fabien to cuff YP G, but the YSM appeared
frazzled and was unable to do so. YP G continued to threaten and yell at the Grievor as 3 staff
continued to restrain the YP. The Grievor again asked YSM Fabien to “cuff him” as the YP
continued to threaten and yell at the Grievor: “shut the fuck up you fucking bitch, I told you guys I
don’t care if you’re a woman or man…I’ll fucking get you, you fucking bitch”. At that point YSM
Pat Walsh entered the cottage and the Grievor told him “do you want some hair? You’re a little
late”.
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235. The Grievor then asked 3 youth in the lounge if they had everything they needed to attend their
school and accompanied them to exit cottage 6. As they proceed to exit the cottage, the Grievor
states that she saw YSO Ernie St Jean and told him “I am going to take these 3 to school”. In
response, he asked if the Grievor wanted him to come along. The Grievor said “No, I have 3 kids”.
Further, the Grievor while accompanying the 3 youth, saw YSM Brian Baskomb and Rec Officer
Tyler Knowlan (CRT members) casually opening the gate from cottage 1 on their way to cottage 6.
The Grievor told the something along the lines of “don’t bother guys, you’re too late”.
236. The Grievor took the 3 youth to the school and told the youth to put away their coats. One of
the youth, K continued walking down to the kitchen and the Grievor advised him not to “take off on
me now!”. The youth responded “Miss you need ice”. K then knocked on the kitchen door and
asked if they had any ice. Linda responded “no we don’t have ice”. The Grievor then advised the
youth “it is ok bud, lets go”. The Grievor states that she felt overwhelmed and had a headache. The
Grievor focused on taking the 3 youth to a safe place and then take care of herself. All 3 youth were
attending the same class; K and J both entered the classroom, and T gave the Grievor a hug and
asked “are you ok Miss?”. The Grievor said she was ok and that T needed to go back to the
classroom.
237. The Grievor was overwhelmed, sad, confused continued to have a severe headache. Minutes
later, the Grievor saw YSM Aurire Pilon at the other end of the Academic Hallway where she was
sitting and flagged her down. YSM Aurore asked the Grievor “if everything was OK?”. The
Grievor responded “No, I just got assaulted again”. About two minutes later, YSM Nicolas
Charlemange walked in the back doors of the Academic Hallway and as the Grievor was walking
towards the nurses, Tamara Morton and Alice Beaudoin. Grievor checked with her colleagues in
order to take a short break after which she returned and got assessed by the nurses. The Grievor
checked the extent of her injury and looked in the mirror. At one point, YSM Aurora Pilon
suggested that they could see something in my eyes. One nurse offered a Tylenol and the other
nurse filled out the accident report and mentioned the effect of PTSD. The Grievor also received
some ice for her head injury. She was asked if she had anyone at home that could pick her up.
Grievor said based on her experience, it was best for her to drive herself home than stress her
mother. At that Point YSM Aurore got a radio transmission from Roxanne Labbe to call control.
YSM Aurire Pilon said “I think I have to relieve in control, lets go to control”.
238. At the control office, Roxxane and YSM Al exchanged some words and briefly Roxxane asked
if the Grievor was ok. YSM Aurore asked YSM Al if she could fill out the report on behalf of the
Grievor. The Grievor agreed and stated that she trusted YSM Aurore to fill the report at around
12:25pm. The Grievor reminded them that she had requested a meeting earlier tan day at 1:00pm.
YSM Aurore left and the Grievor debrief YSM Al of the incident that took place. The Grievor then
contacted the psychologist’s office and requested an appointment.
239. The Grievor was then treated for a concussion after she visited her family doctor. She went to
the pharmacy and then went home. Prior to getting home she texted YSO Al at 14:45pm and told
him she was home. She then texted Aurore (not because she wanted to but because she did not want
the employer sending the police to check on her again). She then had a text and phone conversation
with the YSM Aurore regarding her concussion.
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APPENDIX B
UNION’S STATEMENT OF PARTICULARS FOR GRIEVANCES 32-36
Please find below the Union’s particulars in the above-noted grievance for the purpose of
arbitration. The union reserves its right to add to and/or amend these particulars, in particular, to
any further documents or information that comes to our attention, including production from the
employer.
These particulars are provided on a without prejudice basis. In no way, does the Union bind
itself to any of the allegations, positions, and/or defenses that are contained within or may be
inferred from this document. We reserve the right to modify, change, alter or add to these
particulars, allegations, positions and/or defenses.
These Particulars concerns the following 6 grievances:
1. 2020-0618-0006 January 28, 2020 (Grievance – GSB 2020-11845
2. 2020-0618-0005 February 10, 2020 (Grievance – GSB 2022-11844)
3. 2020-0618-0007 October 1, 2020 (Grievance – GSB 2022-11846)
4. 2020-0618-0008 November 13, 2020 (Grievance GSB 2022-11847)
5. 2020-0618-0009 December 12, 2020 (Grievance GSB 2022-11848)
6. 2021-0618-0023 December 21, 2021 (Grievance GSB 2021- 2795)
Grievance 32 (Jan 28, 2020) (Return to Work Issue) (TAB 1)
1. The Grievor, having been on leave since February 26, 2019, returned to work on July 6,
2020. A September 5, 2019 WSIB Report (TAB 2), and October 22, 2019 WSIB Memo (TAB
3) indicates the employer's inability and unwillingness to accommodate the Grievor.
2. The Grievor contends that the employer's failure to provide her with available work
constitutes a lack of accommodation. Specifically, the Grievor identifies the Control position as
a YSO post (which she was trained and was able to perform), asserting that any staff assigned
to this role should possess YSO training. Despite her availability for Control duties, non-YSO
staff were appointed to these tasks. The Grievor alleges that certain staff members, during the
pandemic, were redirected from their original positions, such as Stores/Laundry staff Sherry
McAuliffe, Reintegration Worker Robin Ruble, and Administrator's Secretary Ginette
Courshesnes-Godin. The Grievor contends that these staff members assumed YSO
responsibilities, receiving both work and overtime pay, to which she believes she should have
been entitled.
Grievance 33 (Feb 10, 2020): (Return to Work Issue II) (TAB 4)
3. Despite recommendations from multiple reports, including the WSIB report dated September
5, 2019 (TAB 2), advocating for the Grievor's gradual and accommodated return to work plan,
the employer appears to have failed to comply with these suggestions. The reports highlight a
carefully devised schedule, emphasizing incremental shifts and specific accommodations
tailored to the Grievor's health restrictions. However, it is evident from the grievance narrative
that the employer did not adequately facilitate the Grievor's reintegration into the workforce,
either due to an unwillingness or inability to implement the recommended plans. This lack of
adherence to professional recommendations may have negatively impacted the Grievor's ability
to transition back to work successfully.
4. The WSIB report dated September 5, 2019, further outlines Ms. Rizzo's treatment goals,
including reinforcing coping skills, improving mood, and reducing trauma-related symptoms.
Notably, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) on a bi-weekly basis has led to significant
improvements in mood-related symptoms, with a fair prognosis for PTSD.
5. The report recommends a gradual return to work, accommodating her restrictions and
limitations, as a promising avenue for successful reintegration. In her previous attempt to return
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to work, the report notes that the employer was either unable or unwilling to accommodate Ms.
Rizzo's health restrictions.
6. The proposed return-to-work plan suggests a phased approach over four weeks, gradually
increasing from 4-hour shifts to 8-hour shifts, with the schedule maintained for three months
before reassessment. Specific accommodations include no restraints or crisis intervention, day
shifts between 0700-1500 hours, maximum 8-hour shifts, a limit of 2 consecutive shifts, at least
2 consecutive days off per week, and the ability to work 2 weekends per month. The Grievor
asserts that the employer either did not meaningfully engage with her accommodation needs, or
did not take them seriously.
7. Furthermore, the report recommends that Ms. Rizzo be allowed to attend health-related
appointments without repercussions or inquiries into confidential health information. It suggests
breaks (10 to 20 minutes) for every 4 hours worked and restroom breaks as required. The report
emphasizes the importance of continued treatment sessions to support her gradual return to
work and address mood and trauma-related symptoms.
8. Overall, the report underscores the need for a thoughtful and accommodating approach to
facilitate Ms. Rizzo's successful reintegration into the workplace, all of which the Grievor
denies the employer took any active interest to comply.
Grievance 34: October 1, 2020 (Unfair Treatment; Unpaid Meal Break) (TAB 5)
9. The Grievor asserts a lack of fair and effective accommodation, citing delays in addressing
her accommodation plan, which commenced upon her return to work on July 6, 2020, yet did
not materialize in a meeting until September 10, 2020.
10. The employer, prior to the Grievor's return, claimed an absence of available positions other
than the Maintenance role. However, the Grievor identified instances where positions, including
her original role as a YSO, were intermittently occupied by Non-YSO staff.
11. Although she reluctantly accepted the Maintenance position, the Grievor contends that her
original YSO position remained unchanged. The Grievor asserts that her YSO position required
a paid meal-break and she expected to receive the same. The Grievor believes that it would be
arbitrarily unfair to her that some other employees in the same position as her received
accommodations that allowed for the paid meal break.
12. Additionally, the management purportedly communicated to the Grievor that her inability to
resume YSO duties stemmed from the non-renewal of her UMBA certificate. Contrary to this,
the Grievor highlights instances, such as YSO Dan Gauthier, where colleagues without renewed
UMAB certificates were assigned YSO duties, particularly during the limited in-person UMAB
training amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
13. On September 15, 2020, the Grievor queried her assignment to an 8.5-hour workday
without a paid meal break. In an email, she referenced her concerns raised during the
September 10, 2020 HPP meeting with Dan Maclean, Roxanne Labbe, and Loni Shannon. In
response, Roxanne Labbe, anticipating a potential grievance, asserted that, due to the Grievor's
role in maintenance and lack of direct youth supervision, she was ineligible for paid meal
breaks. (TAB 6)
14. The Grievor, cognizant of Ms. Labbe's husband, who was an YSO receiving a more
favorable accommodation in maintenance, deemed this disparate treatment unfair. Moreover,
she cites other YSOs, such as Mike Jefferies, accommodated to work 8 hours with paid meal
breaks, further emphasizing inconsistency in accommodation practices. The Grievor sought that
she ought to have been accommodated fairly and should have been given paid meal breaks. The
Grievor further asserts that had it not been for the employer’s inability or unwillingness to
accommodate her in YSO positions, and had the employer not assigned her to maintenance and
given her unfair and inconsistent accommodation options,
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then she would not have been required to work without a paid meal breaks.
Grievance 35 (Nov 13, 2020) (re Grievance timeline and HPP process) (TAB 7)
15. The Grievor contends that the employer failed to adhere to the appropriate timeline
concerning her grievance, submitted on October 1, 2020. Additionally, the Grievor asserts that
the Health and Productivity Program (HPP) process was not correctly followed.
16. While uncertain whether she was referencing the first or second stage of the grievance
process, though she maintains that the employer had a 14-day window to respond to the
grievance lodged on October 1, 2020.
17. The Grievor notes that, as of the grievance date, no viable accommodation plan had been
provided that the employer actively followed. Specifically, WSIB reports reiterated an inability
to accommodate an 8-hour shift for the Grievor.
18. The Grievor submits her YSO/RO Accommodation Plan dated September 10 and
November 10. 2020 (TAB 8), delineates her capacity to work a maximum of 8 hours per day,
adhering to a 7 am to 3 pm schedule. The plans establishes limitations, stipulating that the
Grievor would maintain a maximum of 8 hours of work, four days a week, for the ensuing three
months, subject to reassessment in October 2020. It further mandates a minimum of 2
consecutive days off and restricts the Grievor from being scheduled to work more than 2
weekends in a month.
19. The Plan delineates additional work assignment details, stipulating that the Grievor would
remain in maintenance until September 24, 2020. Starting September 28, 2022, the Grievor
would shadow all YSO positions, and from October 12, 2020, she would resume full duties
Monday through Thursday, commencing at 7:00 am and concluding at 3:00 pm. The plan also
calls for scheduling the Grievor for UMAB training refresher when available. 20. Moreover, the
accommodation plan mandates managerial and supervisory support, requiring them to maintain
communication with the Grievor and stay informed about plan details. Additionally, it compels
the identification and rectification of health and safety issues.
21. The Grievor maintains that the employer did not follow or largely failed to appropriately
follow all orders and recommendations incorporated in her accommodation plan. The employer
failed to maintain effective communication with the Grievor about her accommodation,
unnecessarily delayed planning for her return to work, and refused the Grievor the opportunity
to work in her previous YSO position that she was qualified, had been trained on and worked
for many years.
Grievance 36 (December 12, 2020) (Pay Stub Discrepancy In Pay And Pension
Contribution)
(TAB 9)
22. The Grievor relies on the facts outlined in paragraph 199 of the original set of particulars
and introduces additional details to elucidate the basis for initiating a grievance dated December
12, 2020. Principally, the Grievor raises apprehensions regarding her rate of pay, discrepancies
evident in her paycheque, and the amount disbursed subsequent to her return to work on July 6,
2020. The issues under contention encompass:
• The Grievor asserts that her Rate of Pay should have increased both in July 2020 and January
2021 as per the pay increase provision of the Collective Agreement (TAB 10).
• More specifically, the Grievor believes that as of July 1, 2020, the Rate of Pay for Youth
Workers should have increased to $37.93 and that as of January 1, 2021 the Rate of Pay should
have increased to $38.98 (TAB 10).
• The Grievor points out the fact that the Pay stubs starting from July 13 to December 27, 2020
reflects a Rate of Pay at $37.55 as opposed to the increased Rate of Pay of $37.93 for Youth
Workers (TAB 10).
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• Further, the fact that the Griever’s Rate of Pay for December 28, 2020 to January 10, 2021 is
accurately recorded at $38.98, however, the Grievor was paid at the previous rate of Pay of
$37.55 (TAB 10).
• Further, the Grievor states that for the Pay stub from December 14, 2020 to December 27,
2020 she was paid a total amount of $3.88 whereas she worked full time. The following two
pay stubs for the same period of December 28, 2020 to January 10, 2021, somewhat accounts
for the amounts of unpaid hours but the recorded pay rate and deductions are incorrect (TAB
10).
• The Grievor further states that the pay stubs for July 27 to Nov 1, 2020 also inaccurately
states the OPSEU Pension Trust to be $0.00 (TAB 10).
• However, the pay stubs for Nov 2, to Nov 15, 2020, shows that the Pension Trust amount of
$742.00 (TAB 10).
• Further, the Nov 16 to Nov 29, 2020, pay stubs show a payment of $0.00 towards Pension
Trust (TAB 10).
• The Nov 30 to 13, 2020 pay stubs show a pension contribution of $235.55 (TAB 10).
23. The Grievor expresses uncertainty and perplexity regarding the irregularities in her
remuneration and pension contribution entitlements, noting inconsistencies and inaccuracies.
Despite seeking clarification from the employer and receiving an explanation for the observed
disparities, the Grievor remains unconvinced, asserting that the provided rationale lacks
coherence (TAB 11).
Grievance 31: December 21, 2021 (Circumstances and incidents relating to Nov 22 and
Nov
23, 2021 events) (TAB 12 )
24. The Grievor resumed duties on Monday, November 22, 2021, following her last working
shift on November 9, 2021. She was informed of a reassignment in Cottage 3 instead of Cottage
6 since Cottage 3 had experienced damages as a result of an incident requiring the
reassignment.
25. On Nov 22, 2020 at 9:00 am, the Grievor received a phone call from YSM Fabien inquiring
about the completion of her rapid testing. Although the Grievor confirmed the testing had been
undertaken, she believes that this communication was an attempt by YSM Fabien to engage in
harassment.
26. The Grievor details the institutional circumstances prevailing on November 22, 2021,
attributing the prevailing challenges to poor management and mismanagement. Notably, five
youth inmates were removed from the program due to assaults and violent behavior, one youth
inmate underwent a 14-day quarantine, and school programming was canceled as only three
youth inmates expressed willingness to attend. Furthermore, six youth inmates were placed in
special programs, and disorderly conduct, including banging doors, yelling, and the disposal of
food trays covered in soup into the blue rubber maid bins, was observed. Despite these
conditions, YSM Fabien distributed hot coffee to the inmates. The Grievor voiced her concerns
to Acting YSM Pat Walsh, who asserted an inability to reverse the transpired events.
28. The Grievor further recollects that while a non-special program-involved youth inmate was
prohibited from attending school or the gym, the five youths placed on the special program
were permitted outdoor activities and recreation.
29. Additionally, the Grievor observed YP Gabe, who had recently engaged in assaults,
utilizing his MP3 player to listen to inappropriate songs and inquiring if others recognized the
content. The Grievor, disapproving of the explicit lyrics, especially those containing racial
slurs, informed YSM JR Chevrette that she had confiscated two MP3 players belonging to
youths Tyler and Jaden. YSM JR Chevrette responded that the songs were from an approved
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list. Disregarding this, the Grievor insisted, "I don't care; take it off. I don't like [racial slurs –
repeated use of the N word]."
30. Upon concluding her shift, at approximately 2:45 pm, the Grievor and YSO Charlemagne
entered the building through the back patio. Subsequently, YSM Garthney, exhibiting
trepidation, intercepted the Grievor upon departure, conveying that he had received a direct
order from senior manager YSM JR Chevrotte to obtain the MP3 players. The Grievor asserted
that YSM JR Chevrotte had concurred with her plan to temporarily secure the MP3 players in
her locker for 24 hours. YSM Garthney insisted on obtaining the MP3 players, prompting the
Grievor to express her objection to the offensive and degrading nature of the music played by
the youth, including the repeated use of the highly offensive N-word.
31. YSM Gartney Johnson issued repeated directives to the Grievor to draft an occurrence
report concerning the use of MP3 players. Subsequently, YSM Gartney instructed the Grievor
to attend his office. Concurrently, YSO Charlemagne left the premises. The presence of YSM
Terry Labbe was then secured by YSM Gartney, who requested Labbe to accompany the
Grievor to his office.
32. Within YSM Gartney's office, YSM Terry Labbe concurred with the Grievor's proposal to
secure the two MP3 players in her locker. Subsequently, the Grievor, accompanied by YSM
Gartney and YSM Terry Labbe, was escorted to her locker, where both managers observed as
she placed the MP3 players therein. The Grievor concluded her work shift and left the premises
at 14:55 pm. The Grievor further outlines her frustrations with the continued violation of the
use of MP3 policy in an email to Elizabeth Husk (TAB 13).
33. The Grievor relies on facts previously provided for in paragraph 233 to 239 of the original
set of particulars for the description of events that occurred on November 23, 2021.
34. The Grievor reports note from a medical report that speaks to her medical conditions,
including the fact that she was diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive
disorder, cerebral concussion, mild traumatic brain injury, neck strain/sprain, right knee injury,
and whiplash as a result of the various incidents of assault she suffered prior to and on
November 23, 2021. The Grievor asserts that because of the numerous traumatic exposures
over the course of her career, and it appears that she will require a permanent restriction from
work in the corrections environment.
35. The Grievor asserts enduring health repercussions, including persistent headaches, sharp
pains on the right side of the forehead and temple, nocturnal knee pain, discomfort, heightened
sensitivity to noise and light, intermittent sensation of heat on the top of the head, recurrent
nightmares, flashbacks, symptoms indicative of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
cognitive impairment manifested as brain fog, difficulty concentrating, inability to multitask, as
well as neck and shoulder pain. The Grievor underscores an incident at a funeral six months
prior, during which she exhibited memory lapses, such as calling individuals by incorrect
names and failing to recall certain names, highlighting the abnormality of her condition.
36. Despite the traumatic effects of her workplace injuries, the Grievor asserts that the employer
exhibited a lack of concern for her well-being. Contrarily, the Grievor contends that the
employer engaged in additional harassment to compel her to write occurrence reports and
procure a medical note substantiating her illness, notwithstanding the significant injury she had
sustained (TAB 14).
37. The Grievor contends that Ron Erwin has acknowledged numerous instances of staff
mismanagement and persisting health and safety apprehensions, issues which the Grievor has
consistently brought to attention. Notably, Mr. Erwin transmitted a note of gratitude to the
Grievor's colleague, commending the latter's attendance at the workplace despite facing a
tangible risk of assault by an inmate. In the same correspondence, Mr. Erwin extends a specific
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acknowledgment to an administrative assistant for assuming the responsibilities of a shift
supervisor (TAB 15). The Grievor posits that the mismanagement of personnel, encompassing
the deployment of staff to roles lacking requisite training for handling youth violent offenders,
reflects a lackadaisical approach by the management towards the wellbeing and safety of its
staff.
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APPENDIX C
GSB File # Grievor Union Grievance # Date of Grievance
2015-1711 Rizzo, Sonya 2015-0618-0013 07-15-2015
2015-1712 Rizzo, Sonya 2015-0618-0014 07-15-2015
2016-0524 Rizzo, Sonya 2016-0618-0003 04-07-2016
2016-0525 Rizzo, Sonya 2016-0618-0004 04-07-2016
2019-0205 Rizzo, Sonya 2018-0618-0019 07-19-2018
2019-0500 Rizzo, Sonya 2019-0618-0002 03-29-2019
2019-0520 Rizzo, Sonya 2019-0618-0003 01-24-2019
2019-0521 Rizzo, Sonya 2019-0618-0004 03-29-2019
2019-0522 Rizzo, Sonya 2019-0618-0005 03-29-2019
2021-2118 Rizzo, Sonya 2021-0618-0002 11-12-2021
2021-2119 Rizzo, Sonya 2021-0618-0003 11-12-2021
2021-2120 Rizzo, Sonya 2021-0618-0004 11-12-2021
2021-2182 Rizzo, Sonya 2021-0618-0005 09-19-2021
2021-2183 Rizzo, Sonya 2021-0618-0006 09-19-2021
2021-2184 Rizzo, Sonya 2021-0618-0007 09-19-2021
2021-2186 Rizzo, Sonya 2021-0618-0009 09-19-2021
2021-2188 Rizzo, Sonya 2021-0618-0011 09-19-2021
2021-2190 Rizzo, Sonya 2021-0618-0013 09-19-2021
2021-2795 Rizzo, Sonya 2021-0618-0023 12-21-2021
2022-11844 Rizzo, Sonya 2020-0618-0005 02-10-2020
2022-11845 Rizzo, Sonya 2020-0618-0006 01-28-2020
2022-11846 Rizzo, Sonya 2020-0618-0007 10-01-2020
2022-11847 Rizzo, Sonya 2020-0618-0008 11-13-2020
2022-11848 Rizzo, Sonya 2020-0618-0009 12-12-2020