Mixed Shift Patterns

MIXED SHIFT PATTERNS

1.     Is there a plan for which stations will be chosen first for roll out of the new mix model? Based on call volume, number of employees, etc.?

a.     There will be a working group between the union and employer. The parties intend to meet with members across the province to determine roll out.

b.     It will be based on various factors, such as utilization of units, call volume, and various other aspects. A full plan will be in place before and changes are made and it will be communicated to all of the stations. This will be occurring over the next 12 – 14 months.

2.     Are there any protective measures in place for on-call hours for the night, similar to what was in place for SOC? On-call hours, routine transfers or cross covers that are acceptable to do during on-call?

a.     There are but not in the same way. Because the night shifts of a mix shift don’t immediately follow the day shift, we don’t have the same fatigue management principles. However, on your first night shift you do require 8 hours clear before the next night. E.g., If you did a long transfer and it goes into daytime hours when you should be sleeping, you get to invoke the 8 hrs clear plus reasonable travel time like all employees.

b.     Also specific protection in place for the last night shift.

c.     No specific prohibition on routine transfers or cross covers while we’re on pager with the mix pattern.

3.     Will the mix shift model follow the standard Alpha platoon schedule with the same partner every shift, or will it be staggered like SOC?

a.     It should match Alpha but hasn’t been finalized.

4.     Will current Alpha cars in rural and remote station be converted into RPT mix patterns?

a.     No, Alpha car provision under 1.01 remains in full force along with 40 years of practice and standing.

5.     What options are there for stations with fewer staff that have other FT jobs, to keep a station as a Kilo?

a.     Mix pattern shift basically mirrors the Alpha shift schedule, its 2 days and 2 nights. The 2 days are 12hr shifts in the station in uniform, ready to go similar to Fox, but paid the same as any FT shift. The night shifts would be 4hrs just the same, and the following 8hrs in the shift would be pager. So you could respond from home.

b.     Possibility of keeping as Kilo – This is up to each individual community and community needs. If your station is mix pattern, it would be scheduled using 8 FT employees. Any vacancies would go to casuals to put in for.

6.     What will happen to an SOC CP position?

a.     A working group will be established and will seek input from all communities that will go through the process of changing from SOC. The intent is to maintain at least the minimum 0.75 that our members are currently working and then revamp the program into a makeshift or standalone CP program.

7.     What will the FTE be for a SOC CP going back to standalone? Will all CPs go back to standalone where their days are set and no longer rotated?

a.     At this point the employer has committed to 22.5 FT equivalencies, which works out to about 1 – 0.75 out of the 60 for the 60 stations. We don’t know specifically whether the FT’s are going to be the 1 point.  The intent is to make improvements to the CP program.

8.     Explain how the mix pattern comes out to 0.75 for those that own SOC.

a.     So, for SOC that had potential shift patterns of 3 on 3 off, 4 on 4 off, 5 on 5 off, or 7 on 7 off on a rotational pattern throughout the year, and depending on where you land on your work pattern of start and stop. We’ll determine the total number of hours for platoon, essentially the pattern takes the same number of hours against the 1,950 RPT over the year. Essentially, the hours of work on the 4 on 4 off mix pattern are equal to the hours of working a 4 on 4 off SOC.

9.     If your station turns into a mix pattern station, what happens when the on-call staff only want to work on-call and not FT?

a.     The work will be allocated in that station as it is now, under Article E 306, so if you’re an on-call member; if there’s a kilo car in that station you can submit for call out work. Or if people are away on vacation or sick or leave, you will still be able to submit availability and be assigned spare board work.

10.  Mix schedule for a remote role, are they going to be RPT positions or on-call?

a.     They will be RPT positions posted and filled, they attract holidays, benefits and everything you get as a RPT member, and seniority.