Unfair Labour Practice Complaint by CSU 52 Affecting the City of Edmonton

Posted on 3/23/2022

The Alberta Labour Relations Board’s Notice to Employer and Employees posted throughout the City of Edmonton (“City”) workplaces, CSU 52’s website and emailed to members resulted from CSU 52 filing an unfair labour practice complaint against the City.

1.03.04
When a question arises as to whether a member's disability is occupational and the disability is under review by the Workers' Compensation Board, the member shall receive Income Protection benefits in accordance with the member's entitlement until the claim is adjudicated by the Workers' Compensation Board. In the event that the Workers' Compensation Board determines that the disability is occupational, the member shall reimburse the Income Protection Plan for the period of absence for which the claim is considered occupational, and for which the member received benefits under the Income Protection Plan.

The City decided to change their interpretation and application of Article 1.03.04 of Part II of the Collective Agreement. The City is refusing to pay short term disability benefits to members while the WCB is considering whether to accept claims arising from the member’s occupation with the City. CSU 52 and our legal counsel believe that this is a violation of the Collective Agreement and creates an unnecessary financial hardship for injured members.

CSU 52 had given notice to bargain, thus, creating a freeze period which prohibits the employer’s action regarding their change to the interpretation and application of 1.03.04. As well, CSU 52 believes the employer’s action is interfering with our ability to represent our members.

A meeting is being scheduled by the ALRB to address these issues. In the interim, CSU 52 and the City of Edmonton have agreed to meet so the Union can better understand how the City came to undertake such an unwarranted and controversial action.

Thank you,
Civic Service Union 52