Legal Assistance for Unionized Employees
Most workplace-related issues for unionized employees are handled through their unions. But there are still many circumstances in which a unionized employee can - and should - seek independent advice from their own lawyer.
There’s no question that labour unions and their movements have contributed immensely to improving and maintaining working conditions for all workers - union members, non-unionized employees and even contract workers. And although union members are typically supported in the workplace by unions, this relationship can also present unique challenges and conflicts for unionized employees.
When confronted with a dispute or concern in the workplace, unionized employees can easily be left feeling confused, overwhelmed, and disenfranchised in processes meant to affirm and protect their interests, and may feel uncomfortable expressing questions or concerns amidst the busy activities of the employer, the union and their lawyers. They may at times feel like they’re agreeing to decisions about their own rights that they don’t fully understand.
It’s also important to remember that a union’s obligation to advocate for their members is not the same as a lawyer’s duty to their client. Unions have a duty to fairly represent their members, but they are still permitted to consider other factors and interests in making their decisions - interests that don’t always align with those of the individual member those decisions are about.
Cassandra takes the time to help you understand your rights in the workplace and under your Collective Agreement - that is, essentially, your employment contract as a unionized employee.
Employers, unions and their lawyers deal with complex issues and the mechanisms for resolving them every day. But for many employees, every step - even the first request for help - can feel like venturing into uncharted territory, and the documents mapping out your rights can appear indecipherable. Just asking for explanations can be frustrating, as the people managing things may not realise how much understanding of these processes they presume everyone else knows, or are simply too busy to go into detail and start with the basics.
Cassandra’s approach is to provide you with patient, accessible information about your rights - and sometimes obligations - under the law, your bargaining unit’s collective agreement, and your employer’s workplace policies. She can help you understand what your rights are, along with their sources and the processes available to you in order to assert them - including whether you have options outside the scope of your union’s advocacy, or concerns about your union’s advocacy itself. With experience having assisted clients on both sides of the labour relationship, Cassandra understands how decisions are made by both employers and unions, and can provide you with insight into how that might affect your situation.
Cassandra’s goal is for her clients to feel confident in making important decisions about their employment - and their lives - and empowered to navigate the processes to do so.