Attention All Members:
Re: Sick Leave, STIIP, and Attendance Management Arbitration and Mediation
On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, the Union and Management were in mediation with Arbitrator Jacquie De Aguayo to try to address our concerns about E-Comm’s implementation of STIIP and an attendance management policy that management has named the “Attendance Support Program.” Some of the specific concerns we brought forward were the sick call-in procedure, requirements for doctors’ notes, lack of protection for members’ private and confidential medical information, pro-rating vacation and public holidays, and the fear, discomfort, and humiliation many members have reported while being brought into attendance meetings.
To make a long story short, mediation did not go well. Over the two days, it became abundantly clear that management has no interest in making their “Attendance Support Program” actually supportive.
Management made it very clear in these meetings that they will continue interrogating employees and attempt to acquire private and medical information they are not entitled to. Further, Management refused to clearly separate attendance management from members’ general employment records or agree to provide union representation automatically. Attendance Support Program meetings often show up in what is disarmingly termed a “wellness check,” but these meetings would be more accurately described as “attendance investigations.” It is clear that the information management is gathering through “Attendance Support” could be used over time to substantiate whatever employment consequences they want to attempt to implement later. With this comes a very real risk that management’s Attendance Support Program will be used to justify demotions, denial of training and promotional opportunities, and other vague “employment consequences,” up to and including termination.
We started this week optimistic that with the help of the Arbitrator we could at the very least start to make progress towards improving the way management has implemented STIIP and the Attendance Support Program. It is now very clear that management is unwilling to make even the most basic changes to support members – for example, they refused to even agree to advise both the union and employee before Attendance Investigation Meetings.
Ultimately, we are forced to proceed with litigation. We must fight to protect members’ privacy, stop management overreach, and oppose management’s extremely concerning desire to inquire more and more into members’ private lives. We are continuing to work with the Arbitrator to expedite the arbitration process to the greatest extent possible.
For now, there two actions that we need you to take to protect yourself and support the fight to change what’s happening:
Always Bring a Union Rep: If you’re asked to attend a meeting with management, you have the right to have a union representative present. Management will be taking notes about you and the information you provide, and you are entitled to have a steward present who can take notes on your behalf, pause the meeting if needed, and represent your interests. This is crucial step to safeguard your rights.
Tell the CUPE 8911 Executive What’s Going On: If you’ve been called into a meeting and didn’t have a steward present, if you are being asked to provide a doctor’s note to prove you are eligible for STIIP, if you are told you need to provide medical information for any reason, or if you have any other experience with management that seems inappropriate or invasive, let us know by email at executive@ecpbc.ca or phone 604-800-6088 (and leave a message).
Our last Union General Meeting of the year is tonight starting at 8:00pm. After the normal business, we will answer members’ questions and discuss further how to protect yourself and how you can help the union fight back. If you haven’t already, you can register for the meeting now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtd-CpqD4pGNY6S1f_zKo48yNMjMNymJ1J#/registration
In solidarity,
Donald Grant
President