Good Samaritan Society Collective Agreement 2020-2024

Article 26: Layoff and Recall

1.  
   1. In the event of a proposed layoff or elimination of positions, the Employer will advise the Union with as much advance notice as possible, and prior to any Employee being notified.
   2. In case it becomes necessary to reduce the working force, the Employer will notify the Employees who are to be laid off twenty eight (28) calendar days prior to the layoff, except that the twenty eight (28) calendar days’ notice shall not apply where the layoff results from an act of God, fire, flood, or a work stoppage by Employees not covered by this Collective Agreement.  A copy of the notice of any layoff shall be sent to the Union forthwith.
2. Layoff shall occur in reverse order of seniority.
3. 1. When increasing the workforce, recalls shall be carried out in order of seniority provided the Employee can perform the required work satisfactorily.  Such recall shall apply only to work periods of fourteen (14) calendar days’ duration or longer.
   2. 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 shall return to work as soon as possible not later than five (5) calendar days following the date of the telephone call or the date the letter was registered.
4. No new Employees shall be hired while there are other Employees on layoff as long as laid off Employees can perform the required work satisfactorily.
5. 1. When relief hours are available for a duration of less than fourteen (14) calendar days, and Employees covered by the Collective Agreement are on layoff as per Article 26, the Employer shall offer such work to laid off Employees in order of their seniority before offering the work to a relief Employee.
   2. The Employer shall not alter an Employee’s initial dates of layoff and recall should the Employee accept relief hours under Article 26.05(a).
   3. An Employee on layoff under Article 26 shall have the right to refuse an offer of any hours for periods of less than fourteen (14) calendar days without adversely affecting their recall status.
6. Employees laid off may, with the assistance of or through the Employer, make arrangements for payment of the full premiums of benefits coverage during the layoff period.
7. Other than for the continuance of seniority, discipline, grievance and arbitration rights and rights and benefits arising under this Article, an Employee’s rights while on layoff shall be limited to the right of recall.
8. The employment of an Employee shall be considered terminated when they do not return from layoff as required, or has not changed their status to relief prior to the layoff end date, or has been on layoff for twelve (12) months without being recalled.