HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-4740 Sproul 14-06-12 DecisionCrown Employees
Grievance Settlement
Board
Suite 600
180 Dundas St. West
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1Z8
Tel. (416) 326-1388
Fax (416) 326-1396
Commission de
règlement des griefs
des employés de la
Couronne
Bureau 600
180, rue Dundas Ouest
Toronto (Ontario) M5G 1Z8
Tél. : (416) 326-1388
Téléc. : (416) 326-1396
GSB#2012-4740
UNION#2013-0108-0039
IN THE MATTER OF AN ARBITRATION
Under
THE CROWN EMPLOYEES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ACT
Before
THE GRIEVANCE SETTLEMENT BOARD
BETWEEN
Ontario Public Service Employees Union
(Sproul) Union
- and -
The Crown in Right of Ontario
(Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services) Employer
BEFORE Felicity D. Briggs Vice-Chair
FOR THE UNION Nick Mustari and Gregg Gray
Ontario Public Service Employees Union
Grievance Officers
FOR THE EMPLOYER Greg Gledhill
Ministry of Government Services
Centre for Employee Relations
Employee Relations Advisor
Linda Elliott
Ministry of Community Safety and
Correctional Services
Employee Transition Manager
HEARING January 20, June 9, 2014
- 2 -
Decision
[1] Since the spring of 2000 the parties have been meeting regularly to address matters of
mutual interest which have arisen as the result of the Ministry of Community Safety and
Correctional Services as well as the Ministry of Children and Youth Services
restructuring initiatives around the Province. Through the MERC (Ministry Employment
Relations Committee) a subcommittee was established to deal with issues arising from
the transition process. The parties have negotiated a series of MERC agreements setting
out the process for how organizational changes will unfold for Correctional and Youth
Services staff and for non Correctional and non Youth Services staff.
[2] The parties agreed that this Board would remain seized of all issues that arise through this
process and it is this agreement that provides me the jurisdiction to resolve the
outstanding matters.
[3] Over the years as some institutions and/or youth centres decommissioned or reduced in
size others were built or expanded. The parties have made efforts to identify vacancies
and positions and the procedures for the filling of those positions as they become
available.
[4] The parties have also negotiated a number of agreements that provide for the “roll-over”
of fixed term staff to regular (classified) employee status.
[5] Hundreds of grievances have been filed as the result of the many changes that have taken
place at provincial institutions. The transition subcommittee has, with the assistance of
this Board, mediated numerous disputes. Others have come before this Board for
disposition.
[6] It was determined by this Board at the outset that the process for this disputes would be
somewhat more expedient. To that end, grievances are presented by way of statements of
fact and succinct submissions. On occasion clarification has been sought from grievors
and institutional managers at the request of the Board. This process has served the parties
well. The decisions are without prejudice but attempt to provide guidance for future
disputes.
- 3 -
[7] Mr. Matthew Sproul filed a grievance dated February 1, 2013 that alleged the Employer
violated its relocation policy by failing to reimburse him for certain costs. According to
the information provided, this denial of legal expenses was issued on March 9, 2012.
There were further discussions that took place in July of 2012, according to the grievor.
[8] Not surprisingly, the Employer raised the matter of the timeliness of this grievance. The
grievor alleged that the reason for the delay was due to poor health. Documentation was
provided in this regard but it did not substantiate an illness that would explain a delay in
the filing of this grievance until February of 2013.
[9] Accordingly, the grievance is out of time and therefore dismissed.
Dated at Toronto, Ontario this 12th day of June 2014.
Felicity D. Briggs, Vice-Chair