We are the Support Staff of St. Clair College in Windsor & Chatham-Kent.

How soon will layoffs be announced to members? Will more layoffs continue?

Our collective agreement specifies that we will receive layoff notices within 14 days of announcement unless an extension is mutually agreed upon by the college and the union for a fair and accurate process (15.3.5.1). We cannot predict the employer's future plans regarding announcements of future layoffs.

Who gets severance? How does it work?

Q: Do Probationary Employees (15.4.1)  & Appendix D Employees (p.111) get severance?

• No, they are not entitled to severance, recall, or bumping, and would be released upon layoff notice.

Q: Do Employees with less than 5 years of service  get severance?

• They are not automatically entitled to severance.
• They will only receive severance by notifying the College that you will accept severance within 21 calendar days of their layoff notice (CA15.5.1); this means you give up your recall rights.

Q: Do Employees with more than 5 years of service get severance?

• They can elect to receive severance at any time in the layoff process process.  You also receive severance if you reject an offer of reassignment and sever your employment. Finally, you would receive severance if your time on the recall list ends before a new position is found for you (CA15.5.1; p. 90).

Q: Are severance payments of my remaining notice period subject to deductions?

• Yes, the same ones that happen with your normal pay.

Are sick days paid out if you take severance?

No. We bank them, but they are not paid out. If you are sick, take your sick days.

How does recall work? Do we need to be proactive and check for new positions being listed, or does the college take care of that?

The ESC will meet monthly and monitor the recall list. If you have not been reassigned and are laid off, the ESC meets once a month and works on this process to ensure that we recall people to fit the positions that may come up. If you see a position come up that you fit, you can absolutely reach out and let us know.

How do I know my seniority date? Is it this specific college or across colleges?

The FT seniority list is published in the HR portal. 

Your seniority at St. Clair College begins at St. Clair College--you cannot transfer seniority from another college.

Do benefits continue as you work 90 days after your notice?

Yes! If you are getting a paycheck, you are getting benefits.

I've had a higher payband previously; if I am bumped, which payband will be considered?

The payband considered is the one you are currently employed in. We cannot bump people into higher paybands (15.4.3).

When is an employee involved in this layoff process? Will we get a chance to stand up for ourselves, or is there a way to participate?

The ESC process in 15.3.3 is confidential, so there is no involvement with the member during this period. The member becomes involved after the recommendations by the ESC are made to the president, the president makes their decision, and layoff notices are sent out. The notices will be done as quickly as possible. If you are laid off or reassigned and you do not agree, you have the option at this point to ask questions (when you receive notice), and if you do not agree you have the right to grieve. 

How does it work if you have a disability that is not listed or accommodated officially?

If someone is placed into a position that does not fit their ability, if they have a documented accommodation, this will also be considered in the ESC process. If you do not have a documented accommodation it won't be considered. Please reach out if you fall into the second category. 

Do we update our Skills Inventory and submit resumes to HR in case we are bumped?

Yes. In the case of layoff and reassignment we want to know your full skillset and experience.

What is taken into consideration when bumping? Does the employee affected get input into the type of position?

No, sadly not. Our primary goal at the ESC, as per the collective, is to put someone into their current payband.

If you decline to bump, do you have another option? Can you be recalled or have an option for other vacancies?

You can elect layoff instead of bumping within 5 days of notice. If a vacancy comes up in the future, you could be recalled.

The bumping process is behind the scenes & confidential; if we don’t agree with where we are bumped can we suggest something else?

No, unless you are not fit for the position you are bumped into. You can, however, elect layoff instead of bumping.

In the event we lose multiple people in one department, is there language in the collective for workload?

No, but you can only work as much as you can. This is where you would let the local know! If there are people on layoff and we need more staff, this is an opportunity to reconsider recalling staff.

What happens to vacation days in layoff? Sick days?

If you are on lay-off you can take them before you are laid off or you are paid out. Vacation days are not a use it or lose it scenario. You do not get paid out for sick days however.

Who reviews the resumes and Skilled Inventories during the employment stability process?

The entire ESC will be looking at this information not just HR. We encourage you to update your resume/skills inventory that is on file with HR. Be sure to include all the roles you’ve worked in and out of the college. 

Can you explain the 90 day notice of layoff? 

Example: the Employment Stability Committee goes through the process, afterwards you receive a notice, are told your position is redundant, and you can’t be placed elsewhere so are laid off.  At this point, when you have received the layoff letter, is when the 90 days of working and benefits begin. In the event that there is no work for you during those 90 days, you will be paid for that time (or whatever is left of the 90 days). 

Is there a difference between seniority and months of service for recall?

Recall is based on seniority date; not months of service in a single position. 

What happens to people on short term disability? What about maternity leave?

These are both protected leave types. The employee on the leave is protected, but their position is not. They are protected until they come back and then it would be evaluated where you would return--- it could be to a different role.  
 

What does redundant mean? How does the college decide what role is redundant?

The college decides they want to remove any excess in department place they prefer. We cannot share any additional information at this part of the process. But we ensure that we ask questions about why the cut and where that work is going (ie contracting out).

What is the timeline for when we will be notified of layoff?

After notification to the union that layoff is coming, the minimum is 14 calendar days from notice before layoffs could potentially be issued. Depending on the conversation and information shared in the Employment Stability Committee Meetings, the college and union could agree to extend the timeline to ensure that due diligence is done on decreasing the impact of layoffs.

Can a full-time support bump out part timers?

It depends, but this is a possibility.

What does the Employment Stability process look like for people on probation or in an Appendix D position?

It isn’t an immediate removal of these positions, but if a person is on probation and they are selected for layoff they are not entitled for reassignment. Appendix D are temporary contracts, and they do not fall under the collective agreement of the layoff process. Appendix D position contracts can be ended at any time.

How do current discrepancies in a PDF affect this process? If I had advised HR of issues with my PDF, will this affect the ESC process? 

This is why we tell members they need to make sure their PDF is correct and that they have performance reviews to discuss PDF; for more support in your individual situation, please reach out to the local.