Best Practices: Workload Disputes
June 27, 2019
Originally published in our October 2018 FSA Voice newsletter.
Over the last year, the FSA has seen an increase in members using collective agreement provisions to dispute excess workload assignments. Collective Agreement Articles 8.8 and 8.9 (for instructional and non-instructional staff respectively) provide three levels of dispute resolution. The Workload Dispute Process gives members the opportunity to challenge workloads that are unfair, inequitable, or unreasonable whereas the grievance process is used for issues like excess contact hours or overtime.
The Workload Dispute Process starts with a formal complaint to the department, which must respond with written reasons. Almost all complaints are resolved with some workload adjustment made at the department level. If the department response is not satisfactory, the process then advances to the Dean. Failing an appeal to the Dean, the next step is a workload dispute panel, equally made up of union and management representatives from other departments. The panel’s findings are copied to the Dean and the Vice President, Academic, who must explain how the workload dispute will be remedied.
While the process provides for individuals or groups of members bringing their own complaints forward, please contact the FSA for guidance using this mechanism and to keep us abreast of workload issues in your department.
Still have questions? Talk to your FSA Tech Rep or contact the FSA directly.