Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority Collective Agreement 2024-2026

Article 33: Grievance Procedure

1. Definition of Time Periods
   1. For the purpose of this Article and Article 34, periods of time referred to in days shall be deemed to mean such periods of time calculated on consecutive calendar days exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and Named Holidays specified in Article 16.
   2. Time limits may be extended by mutual agreement, in writing between the Union and the Employer.
2. Resolution of a Difference Between an Employee and the Employer
   1. Formal Discussion
      1. If a difference arises between one or more Employees and the Employer regarding the interpretation, application, operation, or alleged contravention of this Collective Agreement, the Employee(s) shall first seek to settle the difference through discussion with their Immediate Supervisor. If it is not resolved in this manner, it may become a grievance and be advanced to Step 1.
   2. Step 1
      The grievance shall be submitted in writing, indicating the nature of the grievance, the clause or clauses claimed to have been violated, and the redress sought to the Division Chief Medical Operations or designate, within ten (10) days of the Supervisor’s response from the formal discussion. The decision of the Division Chief Medical Operations or designate shall be made known to the Employee and the Union within ten (10) days of receipt of the written statement of grievance.
   3. Step 2
      Within ten (10) days of receipt of the decision of the Division Chief Medical Operations or designate, the grievance may be advanced to Step 2 by submitting to the Regional Fire Chief, or their designate, a copy of the original grievance with a letter indicating that the grievance has not been resolved. Upon receipt of this grievance, the Regional Fire Chief shall arrange to meet with the Union and the grievor to hear the details concerning the grievance. The Regional Fire Chief shall render their decision, in writing, to the Union and the grievor within ten (10) days of receipt of the written statement of grievance.
   4. Step 3
      Should the grievance not be resolved at Step 2, the Union may elect to submit the grievance to Arbitration. In this case, the Union shall notify the Employer, in writing, within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the decision of the Regional Fire Chief or their designate, that the Union wishes to proceed to Arbitration, and at the same time, the Union shall name its appointee to the Arbitration Board. By mutual agreement between the parties, in writing, a single Arbitrator may be appointed.
   5. Neither the Employee nor a representative of the Local Unit of the Union who may attend a meeting with the Employer respecting a grievance shall suffer any loss of regular earnings calculated at the applicable rate of pay for the time spent at such a meeting.
   6. An Employee shall be entitled to have a duly accredited Officer of the Union present during any meeting pursuant to this grievance procedure.
   7. A dismissal grievance shall commence at Step 2.
   8. A grievance affecting more than one (1) Employee may be advanced by the Union as a group grievance.  
3. Resolution of a Difference Between the Union and the Employer
   1. Formal Discussion
      In the event that a difference of a general nature arises regarding interpretation, application, operation, or alleged contravention of this Collective Agreement, the Union shall first attempt to resolve the difference through discussion with the Division Chief Medical Operations or designate. If the difference is not resolved in this manner, it may become a policy grievance.
   2. Step 1
      A “policy grievance” is a dispute between the parties, arising from (a) above, which, due to its nature, is not properly the subject of an individual or group grievance. A policy grievance shall be submitted, in writing, to the Regional Fire Chief or their designate and shall indicate the nature of the grievance, the clause or clauses claimed to have been violated, and the redress sought. Such grievance shall be submitted to the Regional Fire Chief or their designate within twenty (20) days of the occurrence of the act causing the grievance or within twenty (20) days of the time that the Union could reasonably have become aware that a violation of this Collective Agreement had occurred. The decision of the Regional Fire Chief or their designate shall be made known to the Union, in writing, within ten (10) days of the receipt of the written statement of grievance.
   3. Step 2
      Should the Union elect to submit a policy grievance as defined herein for Arbitration, it shall notify the Employer, in writing, within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the decision of the Regional Fire Chief or their designate and name its appointee to an Arbitration Board at the same time. By mutual agreement, in writing, between the parties, a single Arbitrator may be appointed.
4. Default
   1. Should the Employer fail to respond within the time limit set out in this grievance procedure, the grievance shall automatically move to the next step or be advanced to Arbitration on the day following the expiry of the particular time limit unless parties have mutually agreed, in writing, to extend the time limit.