Policy Grievance Update: APL Rest/Meal Period

HSAA has recently received a positive Arbitration decision with respect to our policy grievance around improper allocation of rest/meal periods for part-time HSAA members. 

We had our Arbitration on March 26, 2025, and you can see that Arbitration award here. 

The Arbitrator confirmed that the Employer is required to provide a 30-minute break if working longer than 5 hrs. The Arbitrator confirmed that APL cannot put in place policies that are less than the obligations contained in the Employment Standards Code (Paragraph 35 of the Arbitration).

HSAA has consistently held that the employer must comply with both the Collective Agreement and the Employment Standards.

Based on this decision, it is now clear that when applying the Employment Standards Code (sections 18-1 and 18-3) and the Collective Agreement (Article 44.03b) the rest periods for part time Employees are:

• For part time employees working more than five hours (and less than 7.75 hrs) there shall be two 15-minute rest periods – one paid and one unpaid;
• For those part-time employees working five hours or less, there shall be one 15-minute paid rest period 

We understand that in most cases, Employees are getting the correct breaks, however If you are in a situation where you are working greater than 5 hours and less than 7.75 hours and are not getting either two 15-minute breaks or a combined 30-minute break (of note, only 15 minutes would be paid), it is important that you contact your Labour Relations Officer ASAP. You can also call 1-844-280-4722 (HSAA).

An email containing links to the policy grievance and arbitration award was sent to all members employed by APL on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Members interested in viewing the grievance or arbitration award in full can access it via that email or by reaching out to their Labour Relations Officer. 

In solidarity, 

Labour Relations, HSAA