12 April, 2022

Dear Member;

Due to some recent re-occurring questions regarding "Wellness Days", I felt it was important to clarify the application of "Wellness Days".  The current language was introduced last round of negotiations and allows staff to access 2 days every fiscal year ending in March.  Staff have access to 2 days again this fiscal year and every fiscal year going forward.
 
F4.4 Employees will be eligible to use a maximum of 2 days of sick leave per fiscal year for Wellness purposes. A Wellness day must be used as a full day. Employees will not be expected to provide an explanation as to why they are taking these days off or be required to submit documentation.
 
There has been some confusion around the new 1 hour minimum that the IBEW 2034 negotiated for a normal day of work in article  D1.2.1.1.  If notification of an overtime requirement is not given at least 4 hours prior to the end of the work day on a normal day of work, the OT is considered unscheduled.  This triggers D1.2.1.5 which states that travel time applies, and that overtime continues until the employee returns to his or her principal residence, corporate accommodation or SOA. See highlighted areas below.
 
D1.2  Overtime is time worked by an employee during hours which are not scheduled as his or her regular working hours except as outlined in Article D1.1.
 
D1.2.1 Scheduled Overtime is defined as overtime for which advance notice is provided as follows:
 
a) on a normal day of work: minimum 4 hours prior to the employee’s normal quitting time.
 
b) on a normal day of rest; (which begins after quitting time on the last normal working day prior to the employee’s days of rest and/or previously approved vacation period); minimum 24 hours in advance of the employee’s normal quitting time.
 
D1.2.1.1 Where notice is not met in accordance with a) or b) above:

• on a normal day of work; a minimum of 1 hour of OT will be paid 
   
• on a normal day of rest; it will be treated as a call out (minimum 3 hours of OT will be paid) ()

 
Note: D1.2.1.5 will be updated (housekeeping) to include the 1 hour minimum to align with the new language in D1.2.1.1.
 
D1.2.1.5    Where overtime work is not scheduled in accordance with Article D1.2.1, the overtime work will be treated in the same manner as a call-out (unscheduled) with respect to the minimum of 3 hours overtime pay or 1 hour overtime pay respectively, overtime meals and traveling time.
 
I trust that this clarifies any confusion on the issue.  With the storm pending upon us, I urge all staff to take care and to work safely.  I trust that our collective knowledge and experience will serve us well in dealing with this and any other circumstances mother nature will throw our way!

In solidarity,

Business Manager
IBEW Local Union 2034