Changing your shifts

YOUR WORK SCHEDULE AND THE EMPLOYER'S ABILITY TO CHANGE IT!

I have been questioned about whether or not the Employer has the right to change your shifts. Your contract language says that the Employer must "negotiate" with the Union before changing your shift schedule. As well, your contract says that if the Employer and the Union reach "impasse" (in other words, if you do not reach an agreement) then you have the right to Section 14 under the IPLRA.

Let's break this down. A grievance arbitration is when a member files a grievance over current contract language.

Interest arbitration is when the Union and the Employer reach impasse (do not reach agreement) over new contract language. Section 14 of the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act is the Section that covers how the Employer and the Union arbitrate over new contract language.

So, two things are at play here. First, the Employer cannot lawfully change your schedule without the Union's consent. Second, if the Union does not agree to any such change, it has the right to arbitrate the matter.

This Union would poll the membership, find out the consensus and if the consensus was that the membership did not want a schedule change, we would file the necessary paperwork to have an arbitrator decide the issue.

Please understand, I do this every day all day, so please, if I have confused you, do not hesitate to call and get some clarification. I do not attempt to know all of the ins and outs of your jobs, please do not feel "dumb" if you need to call and get clarification on labor law. I am sure there will be times when I need some clarification on your working environment as well.

Teresa Heisel, Labor Representative
Policemen's Benevolent Labor Committee