Under-implementation Pilot – PEA grievance Update

Dear GLP Engineers,

On April 26, 2023, the Union filed a grievance at Step 2 in the grievance process under Article 8 of the collective agreement. In the grievance, the Union asserted that the Employer violated the language agreed to in the ratified Memorandum of Settlement (MOS) regarding the Under-implementation Pilot. The Union and the Employer agreed in the MOS that temporary changes would be made to the Licensed Science Officer Classification Plan where Under-Implemented employees would be paid a salary at 90% of their full working level. It was stated that the policy does not apply to Designated Professional Engineers (DPE).

The MOS is a legally binding document that was ratified by the Union’s membership. It is unacceptable for the Employer to make changes without the written agreement of the union.

A copy of the MOS can be found on the PEA website.

The Employer unilaterally rolled out changes without formal agreement from the Union and it appears that some engineers who are in DPE positions are getting paid despite the language in the agreement.

The Union requested information from the Employer regarding how they were paying engineers however, the Employer did not provide any detailed information. To date, the Union has not been provided with sufficient information.

The Employer missed their 30-day deadline to respond to the Union’s grievance at Step 2.

The Employer and the Union met today to discuss the grievance. The Employer has requested an extension to the 30-day deadline. The Union agreed to the extension.

The remedy sought in the grievance was for the Employer to follow the language that was agreed to in the MOS unless a mutually agreed resolution is found. The Union’s chapter executive, the classification committee and other union leaders are seized of the matter. We understand it is causing concern for members. We are working with the Employer to find a resolution that is fair and forward-looking for all members.

Thank you for your patience as we work through the grievance process. We will keep you posted as we know more. You are welcome to provide feedback to membership@pea.org.

Respectfully,

Melissa Moroz
Labour Relations Officer