The terms of the collective agreement must meet minimum standards. For most Ontario workers, these standards are contained in Ontario`s Employment Standards Act (ESA). Collective agreements establish terms and conditions of employment that are better for workers than minimum legal standards. In addition to a database containing information on labour relations/collective bargaining, a current repository of collective agreements and arbitration decisions (arbitrations) will be maintained and made available to customers. But there are situations where you don`t need to involve your union or follow the process in your collective agreement. And if your employer punishes you or threatens to punish you for acting in accordance with your law, you may be able to file a complaint with the Ontario Labour Relations Board. You may be in a case of using the procedure in your collective agreement. Or you can do both. For more information on collective agreements, visit the website of the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.
For federal affairs, we refer to the Government of Canada`s website on collective agreements for the public sector. Collective Bargaining Information Services collects, analyzes and distributes information on approximately 13,300 collective bargaining relationships in Ontario. Procedures for the enforcement of workers` rights are also laid down in collective agreements. It is the union`s responsibility to uphold workers` rights by filing a complaint and, if necessary, pursuing the issue before arbitration. As a general rule, workers must be represented by a trade union to exercise their rights when a complaint is rejected by their immediate superior. The exact process for filing a complaint and even arbitrating varies across collective agreements. For more information on redress and arbitration procedures, see The Grievance and Arbitration Process. For more information on collective agreements, visit the website of the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. For federal affairs, we refer to the Government of Canada`s website on collective agreements for the public sector. And if your complaint is contrary to your human rights, you may be entitled to human rights instead of using the procedure in your collective agreement. Or you can do both.
Your union representative should give you a copy of the collective agreement and help you understand your rights as a member of the union. . . .