CEWA has filed a policy grievance in response to the employer’s recent interpretation of Article 17.03 regarding the use of banked time.
During bargaining, ATCO Electric proposed changes to Article 17.00 Banked time which were not agreed to or included in the final collective agreement. However, following ratification, ATCO Electric began applying the article in a manner consistent with the position they had unsuccessfully sought to negotiate, which has raised concerns for the Union.
ATCO Electric has advised that employees must fully book all of their vacation time before they are permitted to utilize banked time off. CEWA disagrees with this interpretation, asserting that there is no such requirement in the collective agreement.
The relevant language in Article 17.03 states:
“Approval to take time under this Article will not be unreasonably withheld. Approval is at the discretion of the supervisor based on the status of the employee’s vacation balances, vacation plans, workforce availability and work activity requirements for the remainder of the year.”
CEWA maintains that the article allows for supervisor discretion in approving banked time, taking into account operational considerations and vacation planning, but does not support a blanket restriction requiring vacation to be scheduled in advance of using banked time.
The policy grievance is intended to resolve this difference in interpretation and ensure consistent application of the collective agreement.
This grievance has now moved to arbitration. Members with questions or concerns, or who are denied use of banked time, are encouraged to contact their CEWA representative for support and to file a grievance over the violation of your rights under the collective agreement.
