BC Hydro & Powertech – Memorandum of Understanding #44 – Respectful Workplaces – Policy Grievance

We write to inform you that we have filed a policy grievance to address the employer’s refusal to perform internal investigations into respectful workplace issues as agreed to in MOU44 of the collective agreement.

Rather that use the resolution procedures in the MOU, the employer has created a parallel process which they call “local investigations” or “code of conduct investigations,” which lack union involvement and oversight. Based on some of these investigations the employer has disciplined MoveUP members while withholding information from the union that would enable us to effectively represent and defend them.

Policy grievances are initiated at the third stage of the grievance process, so if the employer will not resolve the matter at this stage by agreeing to comply with its obligations under the MOU, it is likely that it will proceed to arbitration.

Background

MOU44 is an agreement between the employer and the union about:

1. The definitions of respectful and disrespectful workplace behaviours, sexual harassment, workplace violence, and discrimination.
2. What employees should do if they believe they are experiencing disrespectful conduct in the workplace.
3. The employer’s obligation to conduct an internal respectful workplace investigation at the request of an employee, or if a manager becomes aware of potential disrespectful behaviour as defined in the MOU.
4. A step-by-step procedure for conducting internal investigations, including giving the union prior notice, a detailed and confidential investigation report, and the right of employees to request an external review by a third-party investigator if they disagree with the results.

We will provide further updates as they become available.

In solidarity,

Paul Voykin, Union Representative
Mike Novak, Union Representative
Alina Teymory, Union Representative
Richard Van Grol, Union Representative
Chris Shier, Union Representative

File Number: 26-BCH-MOU44-Policy-Grievance-Initiation-January-15

Union Label: PV:km/usw2009

Reply to: kmallory@moveuptogether.ca