Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority Collective Agreement 2024-2026

Article 3: Recognition and Union Business

1. The Employer recognizes the Union as the exclusive bargaining agent for all Employees employed in the unit as defined by the Certificate No. 150-2014 issued by the Labour Relations Board, and any amendments thereto.
2. No Employee shall be required or permitted to make any written or verbal agreement which may be in conflict with the terms of this Collective Agreement.
3. Except as otherwise specified elsewhere in this Collective Agreement, all correspondence between the Parties arising out of this Collective Agreement or incidental thereto shall pass to and from the Employer and the Union.
4. An Employee shall not engage in Union business during their working hours without prior permission from the Employer.
5. Any duly accredited Officer employed by the Union may be permitted on the Employer’s premises for the purpose of transacting Union business provided prior permission to do so has been granted by the Employer.
6. A representative of the Union shall have the right to make a presentation of up to forty-five (45) minutes at a time agreed by the Employer during the probationary period or at the orientation period of new Employees with respect to the structure of the Union, as well as the rights, responsibilities and benefits under the Collective Agreement, provided, however, that attendance at the presentation shall not be compulsory and, further, that a representative of the Employer may be present at such presentation. The Employer shall notify the Union upon hiring a new Employee. Where the representative of the Union is a Steward or Local Unit Representative there shall be no loss of pay for time spent at the presentation.
7. The name of a Union representative shall be supplied in writing to the Employer before they are recognized as a Union representative. A representative of the Union shall be entitled to leave work to carry out their functions as provided in this Collective Agreement, provided permission to leave work during working hours, and agreement on the length of time of such leave, shall first be obtained from the supervisor. Such permission shall not be unreasonably withheld. Representatives shall suffer no loss of pay for time spent on the Employer’s premises in performing such duties.
8. Stewards
   1. The name of a Steward shall be supplied to the Employer before they are recognized as a Steward.
   2. A Steward may, at the request of an Employee, accompany or represent them at formal investigations, disciplinary meetings or during the processing of a grievance including the grievance hearing.
   3. When it becomes necessary to leave work for these functions, a Steward shall obtain permission from their supervisor to leave work and agreement on the length of time of such leave. Such permission shall be requested with as much advance notice as possible and shall not be unreasonably denied. Stewards shall suffer no loss of regular earnings for leave under this Article.
   4. Upon request of the Employer, the Union shall provide a list of all Stewards and their current level within the HSAA Steward Program.  
9. No persons, other than members of the bargaining unit, shall perform bargaining unit work, except for the purposes of instruction, when bargaining unit Employees are not available, or in emergency scheduling, and provided it does not reduce the hours of work or pay including overtime for any bargaining unit Employee.