A Bomb!

Well, the hell I was hoping I did not have to go through with my employer is on. I received a letter yesterday (March, 21 2012) from my employer which not only informed me that my portion of  LTD coverage with their insurance carrier was ending, but further went on to say they were going to discontinue all other health and dental benefits I now get through my Greensheild coverage with them. Which I figured may happen but was hoping  I would not have to fight for that.

As if that is not enough, they went on further to terminate my employment with them, all effective March 31, 2012. Nothing like having eight days notice of all this.

To say I'm angry and upset at this would be an understatement. I can not believe the control I'm keeping right now, and it's not easy! I spent most of the afternoon on the phone yesterday, first call was to the company's new Labour Relations Manager, to inform him I wanted a meeting with him, senior management and the union a.s.a.p. I then tried to call the Local 195 V.P. who handles issues with my employer. I left a message as he was unavailable. He did however call me back later. I also called one of my union reps and my local chairman as well. Both were unavailable but got back to me later in the afternoon.

Firstly the Local V.P. said he would be in touch with our National Representative and would get back to me. My union rep returned my call and I discussed the letter with him. He said he would contact our chairman to get a hold of me. Shortly later my chairman called, I filled him in, he said he had gotten a copy of the letter,  also I requested a copy of our latest bargaining agreement, which I did not have. He said he would come over personally and deliver it and discuss things.

So after all the discussions, it is now a waiting game. We have to play out the procedures and time limits prescribed within our collective bargaining agreement. Firstly, I'm trying to get a meeting to sit down with all the parties to try and resolve the matter. I feel personally this step is usually just a waste of every one's time, as this company is known for doing what it wants, even when it clearly violates the collective agreement. There position is usually always the same, we'll do what we want, and you can grieve it. Sad, but unfortunately true.

I have informed my chairman the he can go ahead and file a level 1 grievance on my behalf as well. From there I expect the company to do it's usual thing and deny the grievance, at which point we will refile with a level 2 grievance, which again requires all the parties to get together to try and resolve the issues at hand. At that point if it is not resolved to every one's satisfaction, then a decision will be made by the union, if the case at hand has merit to proceed to an arbitration hearing. With all this we are probably looking at about a month in time, then however long it takes to get an agreeable date with all parties for a hearing. This could take up to a few months. I will ask for an expedited hearing due to medical reasons. We shall see.

I have to add here, I knew I was losing my LTD payments the end of March, I also had a feeling they would cut all my other benefits as well, hoped not to have to have that fight, but so be it. The real bomb here was the  termination of my employment. How the hell do you terminate someone who is off on a long term disability, yes they can cut my payment, but no where in the collective agreement does it say they can terminate my employment. Maybe I'm living in some kind of la la land, but if anyone out there sees a reason or cause why they can terminate my employment, please fill me in.

Ironically back in March of 2009 I went through an arbitration hearing for these very things. They had sent me a lay-off notice at that time and also informed me they would be cutting my Greenshield benefits then as well. Only difference here is, is that my LTD benefit portion from the insurance provider has ended. My opinion is that yes, my LTD payment portion from the insurance carrier has ended, however I am still in receipt of the LTD benefit portion paid to me through the Canada Pension Plan Disability benefit, which means I'm still in receipt of LTD benefits, just a reduced benefit now.

I believe it was also back around 2009 that I applied for and was approved for the CPPD benefit at the urging of the company and the insurance company, supposedly to reduce premiums and for the insurance carrier to pay a reduced amount, as they could deduct100% of what I got from CPPD, which in turn meant I still received the same amount every month but it now came from two sources, but still considered to be my total LTD benefit.

Therefore it's only reduced, not gone, and therefore I believe I am entitled still to my other benefits and my status as an employee on LTD.

To say this turn of events has been an emotional roller coaster would be an understatement. To go through the list of emotions here they are, Anger, shock, distrust, fear, disbelief.... This is a case where they don't only kick you while your down, but keep kicking you till they've taken it all away from you and left you battered and bruised.. I can still remember a heated conversation with the past HR manager at the company and I asked him how the hell he looked at himself in the mirror in the morning with a clear conscience when he treated people in the manner that he did. I got no response what so ever.

This case is so similar to the 2009 case, I can't see how we won't proceed all the way to arbitration again, and who knows maybe things are different and this can all be worked out before it gets that far. I have very little hope of that. Been down this road before and know how this company works.

In the mean time, Brenda is still looking for work, and that has not gotten any easier since the Ontario Government has announced the closing of the OLG Slots at Windsor Raceway which is putting over 200 local people out of work and looking for employment as well.

Just never seems to end, I've faced everything thrown at me in the past eight years, and have gotten through it, but I have to say, It's getting tiring, and I don't know what's left in the tank. I know my emotions are all fired up, but that in itself is draining. This has just been one thing after another and not just with my employer but other things as well.

So, I will prepare as best I can to saddle up, muster all the support that I can, and ride into battle once again to fight for something that I truly believe I am rightfully entitled to. Wish me luck!