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Grievance

Every UWOFA Member’s employment is governed by the terms set out in the relevant Collective Agreement negotiated between UWOFA and our Employer. If the Employer is believed to have violated the terms of the Collective Agreement, this may give rise to a dispute that may then lead to a series of resolution steps, referred to as the Grievance process.

Not all disputes are grievances.

A Grievance is premised on the belief that there has been a violation of the Collective Agreement.

If you encounter a situation that you think might be a grievance talk to your steward as soon as possible and/or reach out to the UWOFA Member Services Officer.

If you ever receive a Notice of Investigation, UWOFA staff and the Grievance Committee are available to assist you through the process. The earlier the Member Services Officer, and/or the Grievance Officer get involved, the better. We can provide you with concrete suggestions on how to proceed.

UWOFA has a Grievance Policy, a Grievance Officer, an Associate Grievance Officer and a Grievance Committee.

UWOFA is here to support and protect Members on all aspects of your work. We field hundreds of inquiries each year:

  • 465

    2020- 2021

  • 409

    2021-2022

  • 537

    2022-2023

You are not alone in the challenges you face at work. We routinely field inquires about important Articles in the Collective Agreement.

Appointments 
Compensation and Benefits 
Annual Performance Evaluation  
Discrimination and Harassment 
Workload  
Income Security 
Promotion, Tenure and Continuing Appointment 
Retirement and Resignation 
Academic Responsibilities of Members 
Sabbatical

Common Themes of Grievances

UWOFA files grievances on behalf of individuals and groups of workers. We also file policy grievances when an interpretation, application of alleged violation of our Collective Agreement(s) has general implications for all Members. Our active individual and group grievance files fall into common themes:

Discrimination and Harassment

  • Our concerns are often about frivolous investigations and Members experiencing discrimination and harassment

Academic Responsibilities of Members

  • Our concerns are often about protecting Members against accusations that they are not performing their job

Workload

  • Our concerns are often about overwork, inequitable workload, the process for making teaching assignments and rights to alternative workloads

Performance Evaluation

  • Our concerns are often about the inappropriate use of SQCTs and supporting Members through reviews of their performance evaluation or appeals of their performance assessment