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Aug 13, 2012 Print Edition:
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Arbitrator’s decision puts employers in unfair position, says management-side lawyer
Alexandria, Ontario, (250 employees making wooden millwork and mouldings) and the Christian Labour Assn. of Canada, Local 60, formerly the Service Employees International Union Local 2, Brewery, General and Professional Workers Union
Calgary, Alberta (60 clerical employees of a medical laboratory) and the Health Sciences Assn. of Alberta
Various locations in British Columbia (90 employees growing tree seedlings) and the British Columbia Government and Service Employees’ Union
St-Laurent and Montreal, Quebec (350 employees making metal valves) and an affiliate of the Confédération des syndicats nationaux
Ottawa, Ontario (250 information technology employees) and the Professional Institute of the Public Sector of Canada
A poor safety record disqualified the grievor from driving a transit vehicle, but it did not justify termination, the arbitrator found. He remained a dutiful and responsible employee.
The grievors accepted responsibility for their careless attitudes and the resulting loss of product. However, the arbitrator ruled, to err is human and termination is too serious a penalty for a single event of this nature.