Stettler District Ambulance Association Collective Agreement 2023 - 2026

Article 26: Layoff and Recall

1. 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 twenty-eight (28) calendar days prior to layoff, except that the twenty-eight (28) calendar days’ notice shall not apply where the layoff results from a natural peril, fire or flood. If the Employee laid off has not been provided with an opportunity to work their regularly scheduled hours during twenty-eight (28) calendar days after notice of layoff, the Employee shall be paid in lieu of such work for that portion of the twenty-eight (28) calendar days during which work was not made available.

2. Layoff shall be in reverse order of seniority, however, the Employer 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 capable and qualified 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 the Employer may hire Employees from any source to fill operational requirements pending the return to work of a recalled Employee.

7. The Employer 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 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 the Employer and thereafter keep them informed of any change of address.

10. Employees who are issued a layoff will, within fourteen (14) days, following the end of the notice period in Article 26.01, be eligible for the benefits listed in the Letter of Understanding # 1 (Severance).

11. An Employee whose eligibility for recall expires will also be eligible for the provisions of Letter of Understanding # 1 (Severance).