By rdnewsNOW Staff

Filing A Formal Grievance

AUPE takes on employers denying staff new stat holiday

Aug 26, 2021 | 10:47 AM

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) is filing formal policy grievances against employers, including Alberta Health Services (AHS), that are refusing to acknowledge the newly created National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The federal government introduced the statutory holiday, to be observed on September 30, earlier this year. Union officials say many employers with AUPE members have collective agreements which compel the employers to acknowledge holidays created by the federal government, but allege some are not honouring the new holiday.

“You come to expect this from employers, especially ones like AHS, who like to blame so many of their systemic problems on staff taking days off,” says AUPE Vice-President and Chair of the union’s Human Rights Committee, Bobby-Joe Borodey, in a press release.

“But to stick their noses up at the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a new level of heartless disrespect,” she says. “How dare they refuse to acknowledge a day to reflect on such a serious issue.”

AUPE officials say employers that are refusing to acknowledge the holiday include AHS, Covenant Health, Points West Living, and the Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis commission (AGLC).

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“In a year where thousands of unmarked graves have been found at so-called residential schools, you would think anyone with a heart would rush to acknowledge this new holiday and give their staff the well-earned time off for rest and reflection,” adds Borodey.

Union officials note, the Alberta Treasury Branch (ATB) is one of the few employers to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a holiday for staff.

A spokesperson for Indigenous Relations Minister Rick Wilson told us that the Alberta Government will not unilaterally require employers to recognize federal statutory holidays.

“For provincially-regulated industries, the question on a work holiday is a decision for individual employers, unless an employee’s employment contract or collective bargaining agreement specifically grants federally-regulated holidays.”

In statements to LNN, the three employers named above said that they are still reviewing the terms of their collective bargaining agreements to see what their obligations are in this regard. They all agree, however, that honouring truth and reconciliation is of the utmost importance.

AHS

“AHS may or may not be obligated to recognize a new federally regulated holiday as part of signed collective bargaining agreements with unionized employees. This is being reviewed.

AHS has been working with stakeholders, including the Wisdom Council, on how to best recognize the day in a meaningful way and planning is underway. AHS has been recognizing September 30, Orange Shirt Day for many years.”

Covenant Health

“Covenant Health has been working with stakeholders, including our Diversity and Inclusion Council and Indigenous Advisory Board on how to best recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in a meaningful way. We are committed to Truth and Reconciliation, and as an organization, we are focused on inclusivity, education, awareness and the ongoing development of strong, meaningful relationships with our Indigenous staff, residents and the community.

Covenant Health is currently reviewing our obligations as part of signed collective bargaining agreements with unionized employees in recognizing a new federally regulated holiday.”

AGLC

“AGLC needs additional time to understand the application of this new statutory holiday, as many employers do. Our focus is on recognizing the day and plans are well underway to engage our staff to participate and reflect on the meaning of Truth and Reconciliation. AGLC also supports Orange Shirt Day and flags will be at half-mast on September 30th as an important day of remembrance and to honour those lives that were lost at residential schools.”

(With files from David Opinko/LethbridgenewsNOW)