Hello CUPE 1048 members,
We have been hearing from many of you about concerns regarding internal job applications that you are applying for and the selection process for promotions, transfers, and new positions within the City of Prince George. Your Union is here to support you and ensure your rights are protected.
It is important for all members to understand their rights as outlined in our Collective Agreement. If you believe you were unfairly overlooked for an internal job posting, you may have grounds for a grievance. Our Collective Agreement has specific language regarding this, stating that any grievance related to the selection process will skip the first step and proceed directly to Step 2.
This is an important distinction because it means a selection grievance goes directly to the Central Grievance Committee. This committee, which includes representatives from both the Union and the Employer, meets regularly to discuss and attempt to resolve these issues. This streamlined process allows your union to address your concerns with management at a higher level more quickly.
What to Expect When You Contact the Union?
To be transparent about the process, here is what happens when you bring a selection concern to the Union:
Initial Contact: When you contact us with a concern about a job you applied for, we will first ask for information about the position and your qualifications. We need to understand your specific situation to determine if there’s a potential grievance.
Information Gathering: Your union representative will then formally request to review the competition file from the Employer. This file contains crucial information, such as the job posting, the successful candidate’s qualifications, and the interview notes. This step is essential for us to assess if the process was fair and in line with our Collective Agreement.
Action Plan: Once we have reviewed the file, we will determine the best course of action. In some cases, we may be able to resolve the issue directly with the Employer. If not, and we believe there is a clear violation, we will then file a formal grievance that begins at Step 2 of the grievance process.
Grievance to Central Committee: At this stage, your grievance is presented to the Central Grievance Committee, where your union representatives will argue your case with management to seek a resolution.
We want to make it clear that your union is committed to investigating and addressing every selection grievance that comes forward. However, it is crucial that you notify a union representative immediately if you feel you have been unfairly treated. Our Collective Agreement has strict timelines for filing grievances, and we must adhere to these to ensure your case can be properly processed.
If you have applied for a position and were not selected, and you believe it was a violation of the Collective Agreement, please reach out to your union representative as soon as possible. Your timely action allows us to protect your rights and investigate the matter effectively.
In Solidarity,
The CUPE 1048 Executive