Glossary

In the event that the Union and the employer cannot find a solution to a problem through open and honest communication, the Union may decide to send a grievance to arbitration, where the case is heard before an arbitrator, who is empowered to make a ruling on the specifics of the dispute. This legal decision is binding on both parties, and in some cases can serve as a precedent in future disputes. The wait time for an arbitrator can be years, although the CAQ government began attacking labour rights in 2019, and have changed the laws around grievances in the employer's favour. Read more about that here.

A Collective Agreement is a legal document agreed to by an employer and a bargaining unit, like a union. The terms specified in a Collective Agreement determine the responsibilities of employer and employees, as well as the details of the working conditions. Everything from wages, to how disputes are settled, to vacations and sick days are determined in the document. These terms are worked out between the employer and the bargaining unit through the process of collective bargaining, otherwise known as negotiations. 

The Confédération des syndicats nationaux is a Quebec-based federation of labour unions. It represents 330,000 workers across 2,000 unions. CUUSS-TS is affiliated with the CSN, and we send them 2.5% of our Union dues to have access to advisors, mobilization support, training, and a connection to the broader labour movement.

A grievance is a formal complaint, generally lodged by a union against the employer for violations of the Collective