Environment Swift Rapids

The grievors sought reinstatement of the environmental allowance at Swift Rapids.

The grievors have permanent status and work 2080 hours per annum. They work 12-hour days during the boating season and fewer hours during the winter when only weekly trips in for ice and water control are required.

One grievor lives in a nearby village and the other lives in a house at Swift Rapids only when the road is passable.

The road to the workplace is used for fire access and there is a sign warning of extremely rough road. School buses, police and fire vehicles do not use the road.

The Administrative Committee considered and agreed with the report of the Isolated Posts Committee in that the grievors had been treated with the intent of the Directive. The intent of the Directive is to compensate employees who face economic and physical hardships due to the isolated nature of locations. One of the employees never faces these hardships as he does not reside at Swift Rapids. The other employee has access to all of the amenities of the surrounding communities during the period he resides at the location as he can leave the location by road.

The grievance was denied.

The Administrative Committee further agreed with the report of the Isolated Posts Committee that because of the distance and difficulty in commuting to the worksite that some form of commuting assistance be investigated.

The Administrative Committee agreed to refer the matter to Government Travel Committee.