AUPE to consider next moves in continued fight for U of C jobs
CALGARY – The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees is considering the appropriate response to yesterday’s decision by a Calgary Court of Queen’s Bench judge not to grant an injunction sought by the union to halt a plan by the University of Calgary to contract out its food services.
Mr. Justice P.M. Clark did not grant the injunction requested by AUPE Monday morning, but he indicated that an arbitrator who is scheduled to hear a dispute between the union and the university next month has the power to grant any remedy or damages that he may consider fit.
The judge also said the union could return to his court with additional sworn affidavits to demonstrate that the university decision to contract out food services will cause irreparable harm.
AUPE will continue to fight vigorously to protect the jobs and the rights of its members at the U of C, said union President Dan MacLennan.
AUPE had asked the Calgary Court of Queen’s Bench judge to grant an injunction to halt the contracting-out plan until an arbitration hearing is held to consider the union’s policy grievance on the matter. That arbitration hearing is scheduled for June 20.
When the policy grievance goes before the arbitrator next month, AUPE will argue that the U of C violated the terms of its collective agreement with AUPE Local 052, which represents the university’s 2,800 non-academic employees, when it decided in mid-February to contract out food services and terminate the jobs of approximately 400 employees.
Article 50 of the current collective agreement between the U of C and AUPE Local 052 states that if the employer plans to contract out bargaining unit work, it must first engage in “full consultation with AUPE representatives.”
In addition, Article 50 states that the parties agree any contracting-out plan must be based on “maximizing the use of employees,” that is, employees now within the bargaining unit.
AUPE will argue that the university acted in contravention of these requirements when its Board of Governors on Feb. 11, 2005, declined to consult fully with AUPE and made the decision to contract out the work without any plan for maximizing the use of current employees.
For more information, contact:
Dan MacLennan, President, AUPE, 780-930-3301 or 780-717-2943 (cellular phone)
Ray Domeij, Union Representative, AUPE (Calgary Regional Office), 403-531-8613 or 403-461-1815 (cellular phone)
David Climenhaga, Communications Director, AUPE, 780-930-3311 or 780-7171-2943 (cellular phone)