Building a Strong Collective Agreement: The Union Advantage

Just Cause Protection: What you need to know!

A strong collective agreement is built from the ground up on powerful language that establishes – right from the beginning – some vital rights for Union members.

Among the many pieces of your collective agreement that protect you every day, Just Cause protection is one of those fundamental building blocks

What is Just Cause?

Just Cause refers to a set of reasons that an employer can fire you without notice or severance. These circumstances are usually pretty serious but it is always on the employer to prove they have Just Cause to terminate an employee.

Some examples include:

• Breaches of confidentiality

• Serious safety violations

• Insubordination

• Gross misconduct

• Repeated violation of company policies

• And more

Your UFCW Locals 175 & 633 collective agreement may contain language for progressive discipline which must be followed before reaching a point of terminating an employee.

It is your RIGHT to have a Union Steward present for any disciplinary meetings.

If you are asked to attend a meeting with your manager or employer, ask what it is related to. If they want, in any way, to discuss your job performance, you should have a Union Steward present at the meeting.

Another piece of the puzzle

The grievance and arbitration procedure is another vital part of being a UFCW Locals 175 & 633 member. This basic building block of your collective agreement provides another layer of job security, especially when it comes to being terminated without Just Cause.

If a member is fired without Just Cause, the Union can file a grievance and take the case before an arbitrator if necessary.

For non-union workers, if their employer decides to let them go, that's it. Aside from giving proper notice and any applicable severance pay, the employer does not really have to give a reason.

In other words, non-union workers in Ontario have very little job security and pursuing legal action can become very costly very quickly.

Real job security comes from having a union contract that prevents the employer from being able to discipline or fire you without Just Cause.

This is why so many workers continue to join UFCW Locals 175 & 633: they want to know that their job is safe and they are protected.

Your Union is here to help ensure your employer keeps up their side of the deal when it comes to your working conditions.

If you are a member who is disciplined without a Steward present, or who is fired after completing probation, you should speak to your Union Representative right away. The UFCW Locals 175 & 633 Organizing Reward program could put up to $1,250 in your pocket!

Members can help us Level the Playing Field by calling in a lead to our Organizers!

If you know someone who is looking for more information on joining our Union, let one of our Organizers know by contacting us at 1-800-565-8329 or send us an email at organizing@ufcw175.com.

If the Organizing Team successfully organizes and certifies a group of workers because of a lead you call in, you will be eligible for one of the following honorariums:

• More than 30 but fewer than 50 workers: $300

• More than 50 but fewer than 75 workers: $500

• More than 75 but fewer than 100 workers: $800

• More than 100 workers: $1,000

• Core Sector Bonus: 25%

Call the Organizing Department @ 1-800-565-8329 for details on the Core Sector Bonus. For full details and eligibility on the reward program, visit ufcw175.com/organizing-reward.