2021-012 Schedule APage 1 of 12
Association Agreement,
made pursuant to the terms of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997
Between:
The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg,
(the “Corporation”)
AND
Tillsonburg Fire Fighters Association
(the “Association”)
Effective: January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 1 GENERAL PURPOSE ................................................................................................... 1
ARTICLE 2 WAGES ............................................................................................................................ 2
ARTICLE 3 BENEFITS ....................................................................................................................... 2
ARTICLE 4 UNIFORM ........................................................................................................................ 3
ARTICLE 5 MEDICAL COSTS .......................................................................................................... 4
ARTICLE 6 PROMOTIONS ............................................................................................................... 4
ARTICLE 7 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE ........................................................................................ 4
ARTICLE 8 LEAVE OF ABSENCE ................................................................................................... 6
ARTICLE 9 VACATION ...................................................................................................................... 6
ARTICLE 10 PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE ...................................................................................... 7
ARTICLE 11 LABOUR MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................ 8
APPENDIX A............................................................................................................................................. 10
APPENDIX B............................................................................................................................................. 12
ARTICLE 1 GENERAL PURPOSE
1.01 The Corporation recognizes the Association as the sole bargaining agent for all
suppression firefighters as defined by subsection 1(1) of the Fire Protection and
Prevention Act, 1997 (FPPA) and the Establishing and Regulating By-Law,
enacted by the Town of Tillsonburg.
Page 2 of 12
Association Agreement between the Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg and
Tillsonburg Fire Fighters Association
Effective to December 31, 2022
ARTICLE 2 WAGES
2.01 The Corporation shall pay the Members of the Association in accordance with
Appendix “A” to this Agreement, attached hereto and forming part of this
Agreement.
2.02 The Corporation shall pay Members of the Negotiating Committee their regular
hourly rate of pay per hour as defined in Appendix “A” for meetings directly with
the Corporation’s negotiating team. It is understood that all preparation time
associated with negotiations prior to and in between meetings with the
Corporation will be at no cost to the Corporation. Timesheets will be submitted
immediately post meeting to the Fire Chief.
2.03 The Corporation shall make an annual Association payment by January 31 in
accordance with Appendix “A” to this agreement. The Association payment
amount shall be paid based on the number of Firefighters as set by the
Establishing and Regulating By-Law in effect at December 31st the previous year.
ARTICLE 3 BENEFITS
3.01 The Corporation agrees that actively employed members of the Association, for
which no coverage is available at their regular place of employment, be permitted
to enroll in the Corporation’s medical and/or dental insurance policy, on the clear
understanding that the cost for such benefits be deducted from the Member’s
salary and is not to be paid for nor contributed towards by the Corporation.
3.02 The Corporation agrees to provide group life insurance in the amount of $35,000
and AD&D coverage in the amount of $75,000 to each member. The cost of such
insurance shall be paid by the Corporation. The Corporation shall provide a copy
of the insurance policy annually to the Association including clear instructions on
how to file a claim for this insurance.
3.03 The Corporation agrees to provide 24/7 accident insurance coverage as
developed by Volunteer Firefighter’s Insurance Services, Inc. to each Member.
The cost of such insurance shall be paid by the Corporation. The Corporation
shall provide a copy of the insurance policy annually to the Association including
clear instructions on how to file a claim for this insurance.
3.04 Gym Membership - The Corporation shall provide members a membership at the
Tillsonburg Community Centre at no charge, and the member may choose to
upgrade the membership to a family membership which shall be a taxable benefit
and deducted from their pay as such.
Page 3 of 12
Association Agreement between the Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg and
Tillsonburg Fire Fighters Association
Effective to December 31, 2022
ARTICLE 4 UNIFORM
4.01 Each member is eligible upon hire and shall be reimbursed up to $180.00 for
safety boots and subsequently every two years, or as deemed acceptable by the
Fire Chief or his / her designate. Firefighters will purchase boots that are CSA
approved and black in colour. Boots must be approved by the Fire Chief or his /
her designate.
4.02 The Corporation agrees to provide each Firefighter with station wear upon their
appointment as a Probationary Firefighter. The style of station wear shall be
agreed upon by the Fire Chief or his / her designate and shall include the
following:
a. Two (2) collared shirts with approved shoulder flashes and epaulets
b. Two (2) pair of duty pants
c. One (1) tie
d. One (1) tie clip
e. One (1) Tillsonburg Fire Department badge for duty shirt
f. One (1) Tillsonburg Fire Department name tag for duty shirt
g. One (1) Black belt for pants
4.03 The Corporation agrees to provide each Firefighter with Class “A” Dress Uniform
upon their appointment as a 2nd Class Firefighter. The style of Class “A” Dress
Uniform shall be agreed upon by the Fire Chief or his / her designate and shall
include the following:
h. One (1) dress tunic
i. One (1) dress pant
j. One (1) dress shirt (Blue) with approved shoulder flashes and epaulets
k. One (1) dress belt
l. One (1) tie with tie clip
m. One (1) cap with badge
n. One (1) Tillsonburg Fire Department badge for dress tunic
o. One (1) Tillsonburg Fire Department name tag for dress tunic
p. One (1) pair of dress shoes
q. Years of Service marks, rank identifiers and service medals to be awarded
as required
4.04 In addition to the above items, officers shall be issued the following:
a. One (1) long sleeve dress shirt (White) with shoulder flashes and epaulets
b. One (1) short sleeve dress shirt (White) with shoulder flashes and
epaulets.
c. One (1) pair of collar insignia for dress tunic and shirts
d. One (1) light weight jacket with approved shoulder flashes and epaulets
Page 4 of 12
Association Agreement between the Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg and
Tillsonburg Fire Fighters Association
Effective to December 31, 2022
4.05 Station Wear and Class “A” Uniforms shall be replaced as required due to normal
fire department wear and tear.
ARTICLE 5 MEDICAL COSTS
5.01 The Corporation shall cover costs for medicals associated with Members
maintaining their DZ driver’s license as per normal Ministry of Transportation
requirements.
5.02 The Corporation shall cover costs associated with work related risk
immunizations required for the health and safety of the Members that are not
covered by OHIP.
ARTICLE 6 PROMOTIONS
6.01 The Corporation and the Association agree to promotional requirements in
accordance with Appendix “B” to this Agreement, attached hereto and forming
part of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 7 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
7.01 A grievance is a complaint, dispute or controversy in which it is claimed that
either party has failed in an obligation under this Agreement and which involves
the interpretation, application, administration or alleged violation of the provisions
of this Agreement.
7.02 The Corporation and the Association agree to the following grievance procedure
to resolve concerns relating to this Agreement or any Corporation policy,
procedure or guideline.
7.03 The Association shall appoint a Grievance Committee of three (3) members in
accordance with its constitution and by-laws for the purpose of attempting to
settle any grievances, which may arise, in accordance with the following
procedure. The Association shall notify the Employer of the names of the
employees serving as members of, and any changes in the Grievance
Committee.
7.04 No grievance shall be considered where the circumstances giving rise to it
occurred or originated more than five (5) days before the submission of the
grievance.
7.05 The word "day" shall mean calendar day, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and
statutory holidays, for the purpose of this Article. The following procedure shall
Page 5 of 12
Association Agreement between the Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg and
Tillsonburg Fire Fighters Association
Effective to December 31, 2022
be utilized when a grievance is initiated by an employee, a group of employees,
or the Association.
7.06 Should the Corporation fail to comply with the identified time limits, the
Association may appeal immediately to the next step. Should the Association fail
to comply with the time limits herein, the grievance shall be considered
abandoned. Time limits may be extended by mutual consent.
7.07 Both parties agree that all grievances should be dealt with promptly and every
effort should be made to settle grievances as close to the source as possible.
Before resorting to the Formal Grievance Procedure below, the complaint, which
may lead to a formal grievance, should be discussed with the immediate
supervisor, in an effort to resolve the complaint.
7.08 In the event that an employee covered under this Agreement believes he/she has
a grievance, the employee shall, as quickly as possible, bring the matter to the
Grievance Committee. The Grievance Committee shall give due consideration to
any matter brought to it by a member, and if they are satisfied that there is just
cause for a grievance it shall be reduced to writing, setting out the nature of the
grievance and the remedy sought. The grievance shall then be taken forward as
follows:
Step 1: Within five (5) days after the matter giving rise to the grievance first
arose, the grievance shall be filed with the Fire Chief or Deputy Chief, and a
meeting shall be scheduled as quickly as possible, to try to resolve the
matter. The Fire Chief or Deputy Chief shall render his/her decision in writing
within five (5) days from the date of the meeting.
Step 2: Failing satisfactory settlement within five (5) days after receiving the
written decision under Step 1, the Grievance Committee, shall present the
grievance, in writing, to the Manager of Human Resources, and a meeting
shall be scheduled as quickly as possible, with the Manager of Human
Resources, or their designated representatives, to try to resolve the matter. A
decision shall be given in writing within fourteen (14) days after the grievance
was first presented to the Manager of Human Resources.
Step 3: Failing satisfactory settlement within five (5) days after receiving the
written decision under Step 1, the Grievance Committee, shall present the
grievance, in writing, to the CAO of the Corporation, and a meeting shall be
scheduled as quickly as possible, with the CAO or their designated
representatives, to try to resolve the matter. A decision shall be given in
writing within fourteen (14) days after the grievance was first presented to the
CAO.
Page 6 of 12
Association Agreement between the Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg and
Tillsonburg Fire Fighters Association
Effective to December 31, 2022
Step 4: Failing settlement through the procedures set out in Steps 1 and 2
above, the Fire Chief, the CAO (or designate), shall apprise Council of the
Grievance.
Upon agreement of both parties the matter in dispute shall be submitted to a
Mediation process.
Step 5: Failing settlement through the procedures set out in Steps 1, 2 and 3
above, the matter in dispute shall be submitted to a Board of Arbitration
appointed in the manner set out in the Fire Protection and Prevention Act,
1997 and all relevant amendments thereto.
ARTICLE 8 LEAVE OF ABSENCE
8.01 If a member requests a leave of absence for any reason, the leave, if approved
by the Fire Chief or his/her designate, will be for a maximum duration of twelve
(12) months. At the end of twelve (12) months the firefighter must return or they
will have been considered to have resigned unless the Fire Chief or his / her
designate grants an extension. Leave of absence will not be granted during
probation.
8.02 If a member requests a leave that falls within the Employment Standards Act
(ESA), they would be granted said leave for the time allowed under the Act.
From the time the leave is granted the firefighter’s honorarium will continue to be
paid for a period of three (3) months. At the end of the – three (3) months the
honorarium would cease. If the leave is medical in nature, a physician statement
will be required indicating the firefighter is fit to return to duty. If there are
restrictions in place, the employer will review and determine if an accommodation
can be made.
ARTICLE 9 VACATION
9.01 Vacation Time – Members shall be entitled to vacation time as set out in Table
9.01 and their honorarium shall continue to be paid while they are on vacation
according to Appendix A.
Table 9.01
Eligible Years of Service – Calculated by
a total of years that the member has
worked for the Tillsonburg Fire and
Rescue Services
Vacation Time
12 months complete Two weeks
4 years complete Three weeks
Page 7 of 12
Association Agreement between the Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg and
Tillsonburg Fire Fighters Association
Effective to December 31, 2022
10 years complete Four weeks
18 years complete Five weeks
25 years complete Six weeks
9.02 All wages paid are inclusive of statutory vacation pay in accordance with the
Employment Standards Act.
ARTICLE 10 PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE
10.01 Progressive Discipline – To the extent appropriate in the circumstances, the
Corporation will follow a progressive discipline policy, with disciplinary
consequences advancing in severity with each incident deserving of discipline.
Any violation of a rule or policy contained in this Policy will be considered to be
an incident deserving of discipline, notwithstanding that the rule or policy
breached may not specifically describe discipline as a consequence.
10.02 In certain circumstances, having regard to the severity of the incident, affect the
employee's performance, workplace habit or other workplace conduct, the
Corporation may advance past a step or steps in the scale of progression,
including directly to termination for cause. In cases of the least serious nature,
the Corporation may repeat a step in the scale of progression.
10.03 The Corporation is not required to follow this policy for employees within their
probationary period.
10.04 The Disciplinary Scale of Progression is as follows:
i. Counseling
ii. Verbal Warning
iii. Written Warning
iv. Suspension
v. Termination
10.05 The procedure is as follows:
1. Verbal Warning: This warning will be issued on the first unsatisfactory
performance and/or misconduct. A disciplinary memo will be
completed and added to the employee’s personnel file.
2. Written Warning: This warning serves to firmly call the employee’s
attention to continued unsatisfactory performance and/or misconduct.
A disciplinary form will be completed and added to the employee’s
personnel file. The report will include the cause for warning, the
employee’s explanation, the recommended corrective action, and a
statement concerning the nature of the anticipated disciplinary actions.
Page 8 of 12
Association Agreement between the Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg and
Tillsonburg Fire Fighters Association
Effective to December 31, 2022
3. Final Warning/Suspension (without pay): The final warning serves to
put the employee on notice that his or her unsatisfactory performance
and/or misconduct is not acceptable and that failure to immediately
correct the problem may be cause for more serious disciplinary action,
including termination of employment for cause. A disciplinary letter
explaining the serious nature of the incident, the duration of the unpaid
suspension and the corrective action necessary for improvement
accompanies the final warning. A copy of the final warning letter will be
added to the employee’s personnel file.
4. Termination/Dismissal: Reflects the employee’s continued failure to
correct unsatisfactory performance and/or misconduct.
ARTICLE 11 LABOUR MANAGEMENT
11.01 Labour Management Committee – The Association and the Corporation shall
appoint a committee and establish a terms of reference to meet on a regular
basis. The Association shall elect three representatives to sit on this committee
and the Corporation shall appoint three representatives to be on the committee
for management.
[SIGNING PAGE FOLLOWS]
Page 9of12
Tillsonburg Fire Fighters Association
Dated this 22t->o day of JRl'-luARY , 2021
Title : P,'ae.51 O£~T
Name: /€.Afl'J HILD£BR.AJJI
Title: Assoc.11t-r,01'l R.EPRt.'SfEN'f"A-J1'1 E.
The Corporation of the Town of Tillson burg
Title: MAYOR
Name: KYLE PRATT
Title: CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
Association Agreement between the Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg and
Tillsonburg Fire Fighters Association
Effective to December 31 , 2022
Page 10 of 12
Association Agreement between the Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg and
Tillsonburg Fire Fighters Association
Effective to December 31, 2022
APPENDIX A
1. The Tillsonburg Fire and Rescue Services shall maintain a force that consists of
the following*:
• 30 Part-Time Members in the following ranks:
o 2 Platoon Chiefs
o 4 Suppression Captain
o 1 Special Operations / Training Captain
o 4 Suppression Lieutenants
o 1 Fire Prevention Officer/Firefighter**
o 1 Public Educator/Firefighter
o 17 Firefighters
1st Class Firefighter
2nd Class Firefighter
Probationary Firefighter
*Management reserves the right to review positions as they become vacant.
**Should a full time Fire Prevention Officer be hired, this position will be eliminated and an
additional Firefighter will be appointed to maintain a force of 30 Firefighters.
2. Wages are based on that of a 1st Class Firefighter for all other ranks:
Table A1
Rank
2020
Honorarium 1st
Class
Hourly
Wage
Association
Payment Per-Diem
Platoon Chief $ 9,468.56 110 $37.12
$294.20 $135.00
Suppression Captain $8,233.51 105 $35.43
Special Ops/Training
Capt.
$8,233.51 105 $35.43
Firefighter / Pub Ed $8,233.51 105 $35.43
Firefighter/FPO $8,233.51 105 $35.43
Suppression Lieutenant $8,233.51 103 $34.75
1st Class Firefighter $7,030.89 100 $33.74
2nd Class Firefighter $6,759.72 85 $28.68
Probationary Firefighter $5,580.70 70 $23.62
3. The Corporation and the Association agree that the term of this Agreement shall be
three (3) years and the remuneration outlined in Table A1 shall increase as per the
cost of living awarded to Non-Union Town of Tillsonburg employees.
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Association Agreement between the Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg and
Tillsonburg Fire Fighters Association
Effective to December 31, 2022
4. Honorarium is defined as monies paid for the following:
i. to be on call as part of the platoon system that currently exists
ii. to respond to emergency calls
iii. to return equipment, apparatus and station to service after an
emergency call
5. Hourly wages are paid for the following:
i. Training scheduled by the fire department
ii. Fire prevention activities approved by management
iii. Completing inspection reports
iv. Completing fire incident reports
v. Instructor preparation time approved by management
vi. Committee meetings approved by management
6. Mileage shall be paid in accordance with the Corporation rate and the Vehicle
Rental Procedure, or own vehicle upon approval by the Chief.
7. Daily meal per-diems shall be paid to employees who are at training or
conferences that are approved by the Fire Chief or his / her designate at the rate
of:
i. Breakfast - $20.00 / day
ii. Lunch - $25.00 / day
iii. Supper - $50.00 / day
8. Daily meal per-diems shall not be paid for meals that are provided at the training
or conference.
9. Off-Site Training Costs
i. The cost of the off-site course for all approved firefighter related
training shall be paid for by the Corporation.
ii. When the course is mandatory for the position currently held by the
firefighter, the Corporation will also pay the hourly rate for the
firefighter’s time spent in the course, as well as associated travel
costs.
iii. When the course is not mandatory for the position currently held by
the firefighter, the Corporation will not pay for the firefighter’s time
spent in the course or associated travel costs.
Page 12 of 12
Association Agreement between the Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg and
Tillsonburg Fire Fighters Association
Effective to December 31, 2022
10. The Corporation agrees to provide a Truck Check Attendance Fund beginning in
2020, in the amount of $5000. This amount is to be distributed equally among all
Firefighters who have completed a minimum of six (6) truck checks between
January 1 and November 30 each year. Payment will be made on the first regular
pay in December.
APPENDIX B
Rank Required Certifications for Rank
Recommended
Years of
Service
Platoon Chief NFPA 1021 Level II, NFPA 1041 Level II 10
Suppression
Captain NFPA 1521 ISO 6
Special Ops /
Training Capt.
NFPA 1041 Level II, NFPA 1021 Level I and
Technical RSQ Certifications 6
Suppression
Lieutenant NFPA 1041 Level I and NFPA 1021 Level I 5
FF / Public
Educator
1st Class FF Plus Qualifications Determined
by Fire Chief 3
FF/FPO 1st Class FF Plus Qualifications Determined
by Fire Chief 3
1st Class Firefighter NFPA 1002 Driver Operator / DZ License 3
2nd Class
Firefighter
NFPA 1001 Level I and II / NFPA 1072
Operations 1
Probationary
Firefighter First Aid / CPR - Departmental Hire Process 0