Unionized Crane Operator Seniority Question (Ontario, Canada)?
Asked by asyd
We are in dire need of some advice pertaining to the determination of seniority when it comes to crane operators (hoisting engineers). The Ontario Provincial Collective Agreement that is supposed to detail the seniority guidelines is silent on the point and it has created an absolute chaotic situation and no one seems to have an answer. The situation is as such. There are two individuals employed by the same company who currently hold the same certification (as mobile crane operators, 339a). "A" began working as an oiler /apprentice to become a licensed boomtruck/crane operator (8 tonnes maximum weight) without any other licenses . "B" started a year later with the license to operate a mobile crane (over 8 tonnes weight). "A" obtained his boom truck license (339c)by attending college as well as worked the requisite hours to become certified. He then decided to obtain his mobile crane license and once again, went to school and worked the hours to become qualified. Due to the downturn of our economy, the workload has lightened drastically and the provoncial collective agreement states that people that have seniority get the hours. The issue of contention is, who has seniority? "A", who started a year earlier (as an apprentice or in engineering terms, an oiler) but without qualifications who now is fully licensed with his boom truck as well as his mobile crane licences. OR; "B", who started a year after "A" yet had already been certified with his mobile crane licence? As said, the Ontario provincial collective agreement is silent on this point, and phone calls and email messages have gone answered or someone has just passed the buck. Any information would be helpful ... this situation has become ugly and to say the least, created a very hostile work environment. Thanks in advance,

Best Answer:
I would personally assume person A since they started first. I think that when the training was completed is probably unrelated and they have the most seniority, but I'm not 100% on this.