Previous bulletins advised that the new seniority rules for urban operations bargaining unit would be implemented in early November. However, for a number of reasons, the National Executive Board has agreed to delay the implementation until early January.

The collective agreement, which included the new calculation of seniority, was signed May 3, 2007.   The employer did not send letters to employees advising them of their new seniority dates until the week of June 18, 2007. Many employees did not receive letters until much later and some did not receive letters at all. Employees had fourteen days to request a review of their seniority date.

Working committees were set up in each region to examine the approximately 4,000 requests for review. Unfortunately some committees began their work later than others. Some working committees experienced difficulties getting the personal files from the employer. There were also concerns with the ability of the employer’s SAP system to deduct continuous service earned in other bargaining units, such as APOC.  This problem was resolved in mid August with some members only receiving their letters after that.

The employer must implement the new seniority rules and provide the new seniority lists within 10 calendar days after the working committees complete their work.  Some committees have completed their work and letters have already been sent to members in those regions advising them of the committee’s decision.  Members have fourteen days to appeal the decision of the working committee.

The new seniority dates can only be implemented when all the committees have completed their work.  The January implementation date ensures that all the work will be done in all regions.