Know Your Rights

Q: There are occasions when issues arise and I’m not sure my Supervisor is interpreting the collective agreement correctly, when should I contact my union?

A: The collective agreement outlines your rights and benefits. Often clauses are not interpreted correctly, if you are in doubt about an issue, we strongly urge you to contact your on-site representative, your board member or the union office. Many times without the correct interpretation a grievance could be lost or a potential grievance may exist and because the situation was not questioned or clarified it therefore goes unnoticed.

REMEMBER WHEN IN DOUBT CONTACT YOUR UNION.

Q: There is an employee working within my program that is going on a leave of absence, when does a vacancy have to be posted?

A: The collective agreement under Article 1 defines a vacancy as: an opening which is either permanent, part-time or of a temporary nature (for more than 12 weeks). If a vacancy exists in your area /department/program which has not been posted you should contact the AAHP Office so that the matter can be investigated.

Q: I have been working with my employer for the past 7 years and I have accepted a position outside the Province, do I receive severance pay from my current employer?

A: Article 32 of the collective agreement states an employee with nine (9) or more years of continuous service with the employer is entitled to be paid on resignation or retirement severance pay equal to the amount obtained by multiplying the number of completed years of continuous employment by his/her weekly salary to a maximum of twenty (20) weeks pay.

Q: My co-worker has been off on workers compensation for some time now, she was recently notified that her benefits are being cut off. Her doctor does not feel she is ready to return to her job. She is upset, frustrated and doesn't know where to turn to get help with workers compensation. What can she do?

A: If your co-worker is a union member she should contact her union office for assistance. AAHP provides this service to our members. Our staff are trained to work through the system and the red tape with you. As an injured worker, we can assist you with the appeals process and present your case before the review committee on your behalf. Union members need not seek outside professional assistance, such as lawyers, this is just one of the many benefits of being in a union. Remember though, your union office does not know if any members are on Workers Compensation unless the member contacts them directly. Your employer does not notify us and your union dues continue to be remitted as though you were at work.

Q: My manager has scheduled a meeting to talk to me about my work, he seemed upset about something but did not give me any information. It could be related to something that happened in the work place the other day but it wasn't my fault. What can I do if he wants to discipline me?

A: First of all, you should have been advised by your employer that you have the right to have a union representative attend the meeting with you. This applies if a meeting concerns an oral reprimand or which precedes a written warning note (Article 10.03(d) of the collective agreement). If you find yourself in a meeting of this nature without a union representative you should stop the meeting and advise your employer that you want union representation. It is a violation of the collective agreement if the employer fails to advise you of your right to have union representation. Remember - When in Doubt - Check it Out!