East Central Ambulance Association Collective Agreement 2025 - 2028

Article 25: Layoff and Recall

1.  
   1. Prior to layoffs occurring, the parties will meet and discuss the appropriate application of Article 25.02 to the circumstances, including but not limited to:

      1. the timing and specific process to be followed;

      2. any other issue the parties deem appropriate.

   2. In case it becomes necessary to reduce the work force by:

      1. reduction in the number of Employees; or

      2. reduction in the number of regularly scheduled hours available to one (1) or more Employees;
         
         the Employer will notify the union and all Employees who are to be laid off at least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to layoff, except that the fourteen (14) calendar days’ notice shall not apply where the layoff results from an Act of God, fire, or flood. If the Employee laid off has not been provided with an opportunity to work their regularly scheduled hours during fourteen (14) calendar days after notice of layoff, the Employee shall be paid in lieu of such work for that portion of the fourteen (14) calendar days during which work was not made available. Where the layoff results from an Act of God, fire or flood the affected Employee shall receive pay for the days when work was not available up to a maximum of two (2) weeks’ pay in lieu of notice.

   3. If the Employer proposes to layoff an Employee while they are on leave of absence, Workers’ Compensation or absent due to illness or injury, they shall not be served with notice under sub-article (a) until they have advised the Employer of their readiness to return to work. 

   4. When notice of layoff is delivered to an Employee in person, the Employee may be accompanied by a representative of the union, if one is available.

2. Layoff shall be in reverse order of seniority; however, ECAA shall have the right to retain Employees who would otherwise be laid off when layoff in accordance with this Article would result in retaining Employees who are not capable and qualified of performing the work required.

3. When recalling Employees, recalls shall be carried out in order of seniority provided the Employee is qualified and capable of performing work required.

4. The method of recall shall be by telephone, and if such is not possible, by double registered letter sent to the Employee's last known place of residence. The Employee so notified will return to work as soon as possible but, in any event, not later than five (5) days following either the date of the telephone call or the date the letter was registered.

5. It is understood that an Employee may refuse recall to a lower paying classification or lower full-time equivalency than they were employed in at the time of layoff without adversely affecting their recall status.

6. It is understood that ECAA may hire Employees from any source to fill operational requirements pending the return to work of a recalled Employee.

7. ECAA shall endeavor to offer opportunities for casual work to laid-off Employees in order of their seniority, provided the laid-off Employee is qualified and capable of performing the work required. A laid-off Employee may refuse an offer of casual work without adversely affecting their recall status.

8. No new regular or temporary Employees will be hired while there are other Employees on layoff as long as laid-off Employees are willing, qualified and capable of performing the work required.

9. An Employee laid off due to staff reductions shall, when laid off, file their address with ECAA and thereafter promptly keep them informed of any change of address.