“Supervisory Employees”

We want to update you about a recent Labour Relations Board (LRB) decision regarding “Supervisory Employees”.

As you are likely aware, the University made an application before the LRB to have a number of our members whom they deemed as “Supervisory Employees” removed from the bargaining unit as per The Saskatchewan Employment Act (SEA).

At the time of the application by the University there was another application before the Board with a different employer and Union (Saskatoon Public Library Board v. CUPE Local 2669).  This application is being considered the test case on the “supervisory employee” matter, so we have been watching it closely.

On January 17, 2017 the LRB came down with their decision – located here.  We are happy to report that the LRB ruled that the SEA provisions do not apply to existing certification orders, and thus the Employer could not remove members considered to be “supervisory employees”, from the bargaining unit.

Although this is good news, it is not necessarily the end of this matter.  We do not know if the Saskatoon Public Library Board will appeal this decision, and if they do, how long it will take for the appeal to be heard.  It could take some time for this file to move through the courts.     What action, if any, the University may take based on this LRB decision remains to be seen.  To that end, ASPA will continue to monitor this case and keep you updated.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact our office or Darcy Hryn, Member Services Officer at 306-966-7392 or darcy@aspasask.ca.

Dawn Giesbrecht, ASPA President, Peter Krebs and Lisa Bagonluri, ASPA Vice – Presidents