Sisters, Brothers, Siblings
As requested by the membership the Local has asked for a National Interpretation of Article 13 for the bids at Gateway.
13.04 a)
Where there is a change in at least one constituent elements (excluding a change to the time of meal), a section bid shall occur between the “incumbents of assignments in the same classification within the same section…”
The relevant constituent elements are defined at 14.10 as “…the days of work, the days of rest, the time of the beginning and the end of the shift…”
The first point to clarify is that there seems to be confusion on who bids when a constituent element is changed on one of the 3 shifts and not the other 2 shifts. All 3 shifts must be part of the bid. The language in 13.04 a) is clear, it speaks to the incumbents in the section and not on the shift. There is no past practice argument to be made when the language is clear even if a particular location would have applied it differently or inconsistently in the past.
Again, the same reasoning and interpretation must prevail in relation to having 2 groups (with different rotation days) of the same classification. The determination of who takes part in the bid is the incumbents of an assignment of the same classification within the section. The 2 groups shall be part of the bid.
13.04 b)
As mentioned above, this clause is relevant as the situation we are looking at involves movements of assignments from one section to another. The section who is losing assignments in a classification will have a bid involving the “…employees in the section from which the assignment is moved who are in the same classification…” to determine who gets to stay in the section. Of course, this bid must take place before the movement of the assignment or assignments and will involve all 3 shifts.
The section that will receive the displaced assignments will not get a bid as per 13.04. These assignments will be filled by Part C of article 13 (Selection of Assignments). This is referred to as the Monthly Assignment bid as stipulated in clause 13.18 (d). Asking to have a section bid before the application of Part C of article 13 would negate the language in 13.04 (b) and would equate to asking for a violation of the collective agreement.
Clause 11.10 states that “Seniority shall be used to accommodate employee’s preferences where the collective agreement so provides” . I find that this is the case here and the respect of seniority should always be our guiding principle.
Now as I understand the upcoming sequence of events based on the information provided to me, the movement of assignments will happen in February 2024 followed by a monthly assignment bid as per Part C of article 13. This is consistent with the language of the Collective Agreement.
There will then be a change in the Constituent Elements in some sections at the end of March which will trigger a bid as per 13.04 (a). Again, this is consistent with the language of the Collective Agreement.
I hope this clarifies the situation.
In Solidarity
Mark Lubinski
CUPW Local President
February 5, 2024
Sisters and Brothers,
On June 16, 2026, Toronto Local is scheduling the regular membership monthly meeting in person.
DISCLAIMER FOR THE MEETING:
It is important that we continue to respect the privacy of every member including, but not limited to all the activists, Shop Stewards and Union officers. By participating in the meeting, you agree to the following:
You must not record, share or post the meeting documents or any photos from this meeting without prior permission from Toronto Local
Toronto Local officer (Recording Secretary or any other officer or member that the Local assigned for this duty) will be the only authorized person to take the General Membership minutes for the Local records and usage. The General Membership meeting will facilitate under the Toronto Local By-Laws and the National Constitution. All participants must treat each other with respect during the meeting.
Attention: E.S.S. and Shop Stewards
Please share and post all the Union Literatures and notices that you receive on the Union boards, as per the By-Laws.
In Solidarity,
Abdi Hagi Yusuf,
Secretary-Treasurer,
CUPW Toronto Local
May 21, 2026.
Sisters and Brothers,
Listed below are the dates, times and places of where the ratification votes will take place. Please note that it is mandatory to listen to the short presentation before casting your vote.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2026 – (URBAN)
ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION
243 COXWELL AVENUE, TORONTO, ONTARIO.
* FIVE MEETINGS – 7:00 A.M. 1:00 P.M. 3:00 P.M. 4:30 P.M.
& 7:00 P.M.*
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FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2026 - (URBAN)
HILTON GARDENS INN - (IN THE BALLROOM)
1870 MATHESON BLVD. MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO.
SIX MEETINGS - 7:00 A.M. 11:30 A.M. 2:00 P.M.
4:00 P.M. 6:00 P.M. & 7:00 P.M.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2026 - (URBAN & RSMC)
UNION HALL
47 DENSLEY AVENUE, TORONTO, ONTARIO.
TWO MEETINGS
10:00 A.M. - (R.S.M.C.)
&
*12:00 NOON 2:00 P.M. (URBAN)*
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Trusting you will make effort possible to attend one of these meetings.
In Solidarity,
Abdi Hagi Yusuf,
Secretary-Treasurer,
CUPW Toronto Local.
AHY:w
April 15, 2026
