Members can stay connected to USW #9511 through our Mass Text Messaging System (MTMS). Members can enroll for the service by texting the message USW9511 to the short-code number 32323. The system will send some automated questions to complete the registration. There is no charge for this system, but standard messaging rates from your mobile carrier may apply.
Below you can find a downloadable copy of the current collective agreement. This, along with the Employment Standards Act (ESA), Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC), and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA), set out the rights for both the Union and the company. It is important to have a good understanding of the collective agreement, and the grievance process.
NOVEMBER 21, 2023 - BURLINGTON, ON
BARGAINING
Bargaining will have its own separate notices. Members are encouraged to register for the Local’s Mass Text Messaging System (MTMS) for the fastest and most accurate information related to bargaining. To register, send the message usw9511 to the number 32323 and follow the prompts to complete the registration. Bargaining issues or comments should be emailed to bargaining2024@usw9511.ca
REFUSING UNSAFE WORK
There appears to be confusion in the DTCs by both members and supervisors on the proper process regarding refusing unsafe work. The process should be fairly straight forward and can be found on the Government of Ontario website:
https://www.ontario.ca/document/guide-occupational-health-and-safety-act/part-v-right-refuse-or-stop-work-where-health-and-safety-danger
Continual areas of conflict:
“Majority rules” is not applicable - safety concerns should never be dismissed because other workers have not reported unsafe work
The investigation must involve the supervisor, the member, and the member safety representative
Work deemed safe despite on-going refusals, can be offered to others while the process is happening, but the members must be informed of the current refusal and reasons for it, in the presence of the member safety representative.
AGGRESSIVE/ABUSIVE CUSTOMERS
Serco and their supervisors have the responsibility of providing us with a safe, harassment-free work environment. There is a document outlining the actions/consequences that should be happening in the event of aggressive or abusive customers, and this document is supposed to be currently posted on your H&S board. The document breaks various common behaviours into clear classifications, and has the actions that should be taken by staff and supervisors to address the matter. If your office is not properly addressing situations of this nature, please contact ask@usw9511.ca with the details of the incident.
2024 MEETING SCHEDULE
The meetings for next year have been set. Specific locations will be communicated in advance of the meetings, once they have been booked.
January 23 - Guelph Area
March 19 - Mississauga Area
June 18 - Orangeville Area
September 17 - Ottawa Area
November 19 - Scarborough Area
VIDEO CONFERENCING
USW International Exececutive have not changed their stance on “virtual” attendance for union meetings. This does not mean that we cannot hold informal “check in” meetings with DTCs and members across the province. We are still working out the scale/scope of how we’re going to tackle these and likely break them up by location/classification/status/etc. A motion was passed at the meeting to purchase a plan from Zoom to facilitate these virtual get togethers.
HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEES
Cornwall, Hawkesbury, North Bay, and Sarnia are still in need of Health and Safety Representatives for the employees. Interested members will be provided the necessary training to keep themselves and their coworkers safe while at work.
ANTI-SCAB LEGISLATION
Bill C-58 has been introduced federally. If implemented, this bill would prohibit federally-regulated employers from using replacement workers during strikes and lockouts. This would not affect us as provincially-regulated employees, but adds strength to bill C-90 currently before the Ontario Legislature, to replace Ontario’s anti-scab legislation dismantled by the Mike Harris Conservatives in 1995.
DISCOURAGING OF UNION INVOLVEMENT
Some members are reporting their supervisors discourage them from contacting the union on issues or concerns they have. Members should be raising matters with their supervisors to handle directly first, but members are entitled to and encouraged to get feedback on matters through the ask@usw9511.ca email.
DRIVER’S LICENSING FRAUD
Allegations of fraud are on the rise. Employees should be mindful of their actions in the workplace to eliminate any potential for the perception of impropriety. This includes voluntarily communicating with members of the public in languages other than English or French. Members raised concerns that policies regarding fraudulent documents are not being followed in their DTCs, which we will raise with Serco. Members have the moral obligation to raise concerns about procedures in their offices being forgotten or neglected when it comes to the integrity of the licensing system and the safety of our roads.
REPLACING SICK CALLS
Absences should be replaced when someone calls in for a shift. The CBA permits Serco to not replace all absences based on current work conditions, but they need to be able to justify their assessments.
ACTING SUPERVISORS
Acting Supervisors are supervisors during the times they are acting, and should not be engaging in Bargaining Unit work. Acting supervisors should also be clearly designated so it is clear to everyone, when an employee is acting (indicated on posted schedule, wearing supervisor shirt, etc). Anyone performing supervisory duties should be indicating all of that time on their timesheets to ensure they are properly compensated.
CAMERAS/SOCIAL MEDIA
Concerns about dash cameras and other recording devices have been escalated to the MTO, and we expect new direction on the recording/live streaming/etc related to tests to be coming soon. DIs should not be recording DEs and other staff during the course of our duties. If you are aware of DIs recording you in any capacity, immediately raise the matter with your supervisor. Serco has recently acted fairly quickly on addressing these matters and DIs, especially regulars, and addressed them in no uncertain terms.
DE WORKLOADS
DEs at various centres expressed their workloads are not reflective of reality, and the company doesn’t adapt to changes either (construction, daily or seasonal traffic patterns, etc). Members should be performing their duties as trained, and not worrying about their workload. If the work is being done improperly to meet the timing, then the reports will never reflect the truly required test times. Minimise wasted time, but do not cut items from the process (preamble, thorough vehicle inspection, etc).
MANIPULATING TICKETS/QUEUES
Members in multiple DTCs believe their supervisors/designates are manipulating the queue, impacting the available work for members. Members are encouraged to provide details of how tickets are being manipulated in their DTCs. Supervisors should not be conducting any bargaining unit work. This includes conducting vision tests, and members are encouraged to protect themselves from errors and allegations of fraud by only submitting copies of official documents they have made themselves. Members should also be protecting themselves from fraud allegations by always signing out of their systems.
ONLINE REVIEWS
Members are expressing concerns about online reviews (in particular Google and Reddit), with some reporting their pictures are sometimes included. This is concerning, and will be raised with Serco. We will need to explore ways to address this, as case law currently places very little importance in anonymous online reviews, despite reviews like this bothering members. Members who become aware of reviews like this should also be utilising any report or objection functions on the relevant platforms.
MONTHLY STAFF MEETINGS
Members reported the monthly staff meetings Serco has committed to previously are either not happening, are fragmented groups of staff, or are one-sided. Missing a meeting typically results in staff simply not getting the information. Remember to date all memos and notices you are required to sign with the date you actually received it.