UACL Bulletin 2018 # 4

BULLETIN 2018 # 4

DECEMBER 12, 2018

COACHING FOR SUCCESS :

As of Tuesday, December 4, the Unifor ACL has filed a grievance on the revised, ‘Roadmapping’ performance management process now called, ‘Coaching For Success’.

If any member receives a letter from their manager they should have a Shop Steward present during these meetings.

We will keep the membership informed going forward.

UNIFOR NATIONAL SURVEY :

Unifor National was very pleased with the response to the recent survey on Performance Management.    We would like to thank all members in Atlantic Canada who took the opportunity to voice their concerns.

Results of the survey will be released in the near future and we will post them on our websites.

MEDICAL EXPENSES AND T4’s :

The company informed the Union at last week’s Atlantic Joint Consultative Meeting, that the member’s medical premium figures will once again be included on their t4’s. For the past several years the figures needed to claim a deduction on your income tax return required a phone call to the Benifits group. This is a welcomed change.

REQUESTS FOR REVIEW FEEDBACK :

It has come to our attention, that managers are requesting members provide the names of co-workers that they would like to be contacted for feedback in relation to their performance review. The Union is of the belief that members should not be providing any opinion on their fellow workers to be used by management for this purpose.

BELL EMPLOYEE SURVEY :

The Council would like to make the members aware that any comments they include when completing the Bell survey may possibly be shared with their direct manager.

SICKNESS DISABILITY BENEFIT (SDB) RELAPSE :

We have been notified of several occurrences where members who fall ill within the first 30 days after returning from SDB, are being told by Manulife that they must get a doctors note on the first day of absence. Article 28.10 of our Collective Agreement states that in the above mentioned circumstance the member resumes their previous SBD claim and if required has 15 days from the date of a request to obtain a doctors note.

VACATION PAY FOR POOL CST 1 :

It has been reported to the Union that there are cases of CST Pool Tech 1’s being paid only 4.5 hours for each vacation day taken. This is incorrect so please check your pay stub.

GPS IN BELL VEHICLES :

When asked if Bell was monitoring Company vehicles equiped with GPS, the Council was informed that the company no longer actively monitors these devices but data is still collected and can be accessed if a situation arises.

Mental Health MOA (Appendix MM) :

At our last semi-annual meeting with the company and Council on Nov 1, it was agreed to proceed with the formation of a mental health committee with representation from the Atlantic provinces, Ontario, Quebec along with senior Bell representatives.

As 500,000 Canadians in any given week miss work with mental concerns, this committee will be tasked with finding ways to protect the psychological health and improving on risk factors that can impact the mental health of employees.

CANADIAN CENTER FOR OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY :

The CCOHS has put out a smartphone app, allowing users to complete the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire. This questionnaire has approximately 40 questions related to work demands, organizational factors, relationships, workplace values, health and safety concerns, stress symptoms and offensive behaviours.

https://www.ccohs.ca/products/measure_workplace_stress/

This is simply a reminder to our members that there are resources available to help them get through challenging times.

BELL EMPLOYEE FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM  1 800 387 4765

http://bellnet.int.bell.ca/human-resources/health-and-wellness

Also, each ACL local has a Woman’s Advocate available to offer support.

WORK LEAVING ATLANTIC CANADA :

If any member is aware of any work leaving Atlantic Canada and going to any other Bell bargaining unit, please contact your Shop Steward with this information.

It is very important that we identify this work, as it will be part of any future arbitration settlement.

LOCAL 410 ELECTIONS (NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR) :

Unifor ACL would like to say farewell to Brother Steve Howlett as President of Unifor Local 410. Steve has been a tireless worker for both his Local and the Atlantic Council for the last number of years.

Steve has not reoffered as President and will resume his job as a Network Technician in Corner Brook.  We will certainly miss him for his ability, but also as a friend.

Unifor ACL would like to welcome Brother Lee Pearce as the new President of Local 410. Lee has been Vice-President for several years and Chief Shop Steward of local 410.  It is certainly reassuring to have someone of Lee’s ability assuming Steve’s role. Welcome to Council.

LOCAL 401 ELECTIONS (PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND) :

Local elections in Prince Edward Island are also taking place in December. Cathy Morrell has been Vice-President and a member of the Council for many years and has decided not to re-offer.

Again, it is with sadness we see her leave, but we are sure a capable replacement will step forward for her position at that time.

Please contact your shop steward if you believe there are violations of the collective agreement in your workplace.

Enjoy a safe Holiday season.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

IN SOLIDARITY:

Bobby Macdonald, Steve Howlett, Sandy Brideau, Cullen Bolger, Faith Chaisson, Susan Rice, Cathy Morrell, Ron Benoit, National Rep Roch LeBlanc.