The Union has become aware that in isolated instances, some members are being denied access to Training and Professional Leave [Article 31, Section Five of our contract] to attend the Union's upcoming training session.
Chief Steward Patrick Lamb has filed an institutional grievance, with a request for expedited arbitration. Due to the work now/grieve later rule, members who have been denied access to Professional Leave, but who still wish to attend the upcoming training session must use their personal, vacation, or compensatory time.
If the Union prevails in the grievance process, members using such leave can expect to be made whole, assuming they have a sufficient amount of Professional Leave remaining.
As indicated above, the denials are occurring in isolated instances. If you have been granted Professional Leave, no further action is needed on your part.