Two of our largest departments, the RCMP and CSC, have traditionally agreed to place classification grievances in abeyance pending the outcome of labour relations grievances on job content.  Both departments have now decided to strictly enforce the timeframe and parameters determined by the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer (OCHRO) at the Treasury Board Secretariat.

Treasury Board policy on the issue of classification grievances states:  “An employee shall present a grievance no later than the 35th calendar day after the day on which the employee is notified orally or in writing or, when the employee is not so notified, after the day on which he or she first becomes aware of an action or circumstance affecting the classification of the position he or she occupies”.

The grievance procedure in most collective agreements is clear that “The time limits stipulated in this procedure may be extended by mutual agreement between the Employer and the grievor and, where appropriate, the Alliance representative.”

Both CSC and the RCMP will be advising any employee who files a classification grievance in advance of a classification decision being rendered that their grievance will be declared untimely and rejected.

As we no longer have the department’s agreement to place classification grievances in abeyance, we are obliged to adhere to Treasury Board Policy.

Traditionally, USGE has always recommended the filing of three grievances simultaneously – job content, acting pay and classification.  Members are encouraged to still file their job content and acting pay grievances simultaneously but will have to wait for a classification decision to be rendered before filing their classification grievance.