ARTICLE 7 : LABOUR MANAGEMENT RELATIONS

7.1* LABOUR RELATIONS COMMITTEE

The Association and the Employer acknowledge the mutual benefit to be derived from joint consultation and therefore agree to the establishment of a Labour Management Committee (LMC) consisting of three (3) representatives from each Party.

7.2* The purpose of the LMC shall be to review matters of interest, to foster and facilitate communications, promote cooperation, understanding and harmonious relations between the Employer and the Union.

7.3* The LMC shall only review matters of concern arising from the application of this Agreement, or legislation, regulation, policy, practice or procedure that affects the Bargaining Unit or Employees, excluding any dispute which is at that time being resolved under the grievance and arbitration procedures set out in Article 12.

7.4* The LMC shall also function as a forum in which the Employer shall advise the APTPUO of anticipated trends or policy changes which have a major impact on the Bargaining Unit or respond to APTPUO questions.

7.5 The Committee will meet three times per year with the first meeting of the year being normally held in September, January and the last one in May. No later than five (5) working days before the meeting, each party will advise the other of the proposed items for the agenda for the meeting in order to allow for sufficient preparation time. Any additional items would be subject to the approval of both Parties. The Manager of the relevant Program at the Institute should attend the labour management meetings.

7.5.1 Additionally, a meeting may be called at the request of either party including the topic(s) to be discussed and the persons expected to be present. Such meetings shall take place, at a mutually agreeable time, within ten (10) working days of the receipt of the request for the meeting.

7.6* A representative of each Party shall be designated by each Party as Joint Chairperson of the Committee and the two (2) persons shall alternate in chairing the meetings of the Committee.

7.7* CORRESPONDENCE

A copy of all correspondence from the Employer or its representative(s) to any bargaining unit member, relating to matters covered by Article 11 (discipline and discharge) shall be forwarded to the Association.

7.8* HEALTH AND SAFETY

7.8.1 In accordance with the law, the Employer acknowledges its responsibility to provide a safe and healthy working environment, and to provide any facilities, supplies and services, and to follow any procedures required by the Occupational Health and Safety Act to protect the health, safety, and security of employees as they carry out their responsibilities of employment on the Employer's premises. The parties agree that the Employer shall provide, and the member shall make use of, protective equipment whenever such equipment is required by the Act or the regulations pertaining to the Act for the safe performance of the members' responsibilities of employment.

7.8.2 No employee shall be required to act, nor shall she/he act in a manner which constitutes a health and safety hazard.

7.8.3 The Employer will make available to APTPUO members all Health and Safety notices and information distributed to full-time staff.