The Right to AMAPCEO Representation

You have the right to have a Workplace Representative join you and represent you in meetings with your supervisor or an Employer representative regarding certain workplace issues.

Introduction

AMAPCEO Workplace Representatives are trained union members who have volunteered to confidentially assist members like you in the workplace. They should be your first point of contact in seeking information and representation with an issue at work.

Under Article 7 of your Collective Agreement, you have the right to have a Workplace Representative join you and represent you in meetings with your supervisor or an Employer representative regarding workplace issues identified below.

If your supervisor or another Employer representative requests a meeting

If your supervisor or another Employer representative requests a meeting
You can ask a Workplace Representative to accompany you at a meeting with your supervisor or an Employer representative if the meeting is for any of the following reasons:

• for disciplinary purposes;
• to investigate matters which may result in disciplinary action;
• for a formal counselling session regarding unsatisfactory performance or behaviour;
• for termination of employment;
• for matters related to an accommodation or return to work plan; or
• to discuss attendance management issues.

If the Employer requests a meeting about an issue that is not related to any of the reasons above, but you think it would be beneficial to have AMAPCEO representation with you, you can request that a Workplace Representative accompany you. While this is not an entitlement under your Collective Agreement, the Employer may agree to your request. If they do not agree, you may still speak with a Workplace Representative ahead of your meeting for their advice.

See below on how to ask for help from a Workplace Representative.

When your supervisor or another Employer representative notifies you of the need for a meeting, they must:

• suggest a time and a place for the meeting, which must be mutually agreeable to both you and the Employer;
• remind you of your right to have a Workplace Representative accompany you—the decision on whether to do this is yours to make; and
• give you up to three working days to find a Workplace Representative to help you (please see a template email you can send to your Employer).

You may have to contact several Workplace Representatives before you find one available to attend the meeting with you. If you are having difficulty finding a Workplace Representative:

• please contact the AMAPCEO office for urgent assistance; and
• address this with your supervisor or the Employer representative to try to work out a later time when you will have union representation.

Your supervisor or the Employer representative may insist the matter is urgent and the meeting must occur as soon as possible. In this case, you may have to contact several Workplace Representatives to find one available on short notice. If you’re having trouble connecting with one, and are in urgent need of assistance, please contact the AMAPCEO office. You should also address this with your supervisor or the Employer representative to try to work out a later time when you will have union representation.

If you attend a meeting without a Workplace Representative, and the Employer asks you to sign a waiver of your right to representation, only sign it if you voluntarily attended without a Workplace Representative.

If you request a meeting with your supervisor or another Employer representative

The dispute resolution process is an integral part of your Collective Agreement (Article 15) and an important advantage of being a unionized professional. This is the means through which you can get help addressing workplace issues or alleged breaches of your collective agreement rights or other terms and conditions of your employment.

If you experience an issue in the workplace, and arrange an informal meeting with your supervisor or an Employer representative about it, you should request to have a Workplace Representative to join you and represent you. While this is not an entitlement under the Collective Agreement, the Employer may agree to your request.

If your issue is not resolved at this informal stage, or if you wish to bypass it, you can request that AMAPCEO review the file and consider filing a formal dispute on your behalf, at which point you will have the right to have a Workplace Representative join you and represent you. This must be done within 30 working days of you becoming aware of the issue. You will have AMAPCEO representation throughout the formal stages of the process.

If you have questions or need assistance

Please contact an AMAPCEO Workplace Representative in your District. They do not have to be in your Ministry.

Workplace Representatives are trained union members who have volunteered to confidentially assist members like you in the workplace. They should be your first point of contact in seeking information and representation with an issue at work.

Your Workplace Representative may ask you to use the union’s secure web-based system, RADAR, to provide details about your situation. RADAR will help you and your Workplace Representative keep track of things without the privacy concerns that could come from using the Employer’s email system.