Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutBy-law 1645/83THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF PICKERING BY-LAW NUMBER 1645/83 Being a by-law to authorize the execution of a Collective Agreement between the Corporation of the Town of Pickering and The Town of Pickering Professional Fire- fighters' Association, Local 1632, International Association of Firefighters. THE COUNCIL OF THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF PICKERING HEREBY ENACTS AS FOLLOWS: That the Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to execute a Collective Agreement in the form attached hereto as Schedule "A" between the Corporation of the Town of Pickering and The Town of Pickering Professional Firefighters' Association, Local 1632, International Association of Firefighters. BY-LAW READ a first, second and third time and finally PASSED this 5th day of April 1983. Clerk / ,Schedule "A" to B~-law Number 1645/83 COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT BETgEEN: THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF PICKERING (hereinafter called the "Corporation") OF THE FIRST PART, - and- THE TOWN OF PICKERING PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS' ASSOCIATION, LOCAL 1632, INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS {hereinafter called the "Association") OF THE SECOND PART. ARTZCLE NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 '9 10 ll 12 13 14 15 16 17 18. 19 20 INDEX SCOPE OF AGREEMENT ........................................ REOOGN]TION ................. ~ ............................. HOURS OF WORK ............................................. VACATIONS ................................................. STATUTORY HOLIDAYS..: ..................................... WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION ................................... SICK LEAVE ............................................... HO~'PITAL AND MEDICAL COVERAGE ............................ SALARIES ................................................. PROMOTIONS, SENIORITY AND LAY-OFF ........................ LEAVE OF ABSENCE ......................................... BEREAVEMENT LEAVE ......................................... PENSIONS AND INSURANCE .................................... UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT .................................... ACTING RANK - FIREFIGHTERS ............. ~ .................. DISCHARGE OR DISCIPLINE ................................... GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE ....................................... ARBITRATION ............................................... FIRE DEPARTMENTS ACT ...................................... DURATION .................................................. PAGE NO. 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 8 9 ]0 12 13 14 THIS AGREEMENT made this 15th ' day of February , 1983 BET#EEN: THE CORPORATION OF THE TOl,~l OF PICKERING (hereinafter called the "Corporation") OF THE FIRST PN~T, and - THE TOWN OF PICKERING PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS' ASSOCIATION LOCAL 1632t INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS (hereinafter called the "Association") OF THE SECOND PART. WHEREAS the Parties hereto wish to establish and maintain collective bargaining rela- tions between the Corporation, its Firefighters and Fire Dispatchers, and to provide machinery for the prompt and equitable disposition of grievances, and to establish and maintain mutually satisfactory working conditions, hours and wages for all Fire- fighters and Fire Dispatchers who are subject to the provision of this Agreement; NOW THEREFORE, THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSETH: ARTICLE 1 - SCOPE OF AGREEMENT 1.01 In this Agreement, the term, (a) "Dispatcher" means a full-time Fire Dispatcher of the Town of Pick- ering Fire Department; (b) "Firefighter" means a full-time Firefighter of the Town of Pickering Fire Department, and includes a Captain, Officer and Inspector, but does not include a Fire Chief or Deputy Chief; and (c) "Employee" means a Dispatcher or a Firefighter. 1.02 The provisions of this Agreement shall apply to all Employees in the Town of Picketing Fire Department. -2- ARTICLE 2 - RECOGNITION 2.01 The Corporation retains the sole right to manage a11 services and dtrect the working forces, including.the right to h4re,-premote, transfer, rep- rimnd, penalize, suspend, dtscharge'or demote its Employees for Just cause. A claim of discriminatory promotion, demotion or transfer, or a claim that any Employee has been discharged, penalized or suspended Nth- out Just cause shall be the subject of a grievance and dealt vrith as pro- vided in Articles 16 and 17. 2.02 The Assoctation'and the Employees recognize the right of the Corporation to delegate its authority to a ceemtttee of the appropriate officials, to negotiate a renewal Agreement or to participate.in the resolution of griev- ances with Employees subject to the final approval of any Agreement by the Corporation. 2.03 The Corporation recognizes the Association as the exclusive bargaining agent for all Employees'of the Town of Pickering Fire Department, and this Agreement shall be regarded as being applicable to all such Employees. All Employees while in uniform, whether on or off duty, shall be governed by the rules and regulations of the Department as established and pub: lished by the Fire Chief from time to time. 2.05 All Employees of the Town of Picketing Fire Department, that are nowmem- bers of the Association's Local 1632, shall remain members of the said Local Union and new Employees of the Department shall become members of Local 1632, International Association of Firefighters, within the first thirty (30) days of their probationary period and will continue their membership in good standing in the said Local Union as a condition of continued employment. 2.06 The Association agrees to keep the Corporation advised of the names of the Officers of the Executive and Bargaining C~),nittee upon their election or any change therein. 2.07 The Corporation and the Association 'agree that at no time will discrimina- tion be shown toward any Employee who is covered by this Agreement. No strike or lock-out shall occur during the life of this Agreement or any renewal thereof, and the Associat4on shall not participate in any sympathy strike in support of any other organization. ARTICLE 3 - HOURS OF WORK 3.01 Dispatchers and Firefighters other than Fire Prevention Officers, Train- ing Officers and Inspectors shall be required to work a forty-two (42) hour week on the average, based on the two (2) platoon system, consisting of a ten {10) hour day and a fourteen (14) hour night. -3- A_.RTICLE 3 - HOURS OF WORK (Cont' d) 3.02 Oays- 1st Week Nights - 2nd Week Days - 3rd Week Nights - 4th Week )orking Schedule Forty-Two (42) Hours Per Week Mon. Tues. Wed. 10 10 10 14 14 14 Thurs. Frt. Sat. Sun. Total 10 40 14 14 14 14 56 10 10 10 30 42 3.03 3.04 Nothing in theabove schedule of hours of work shall prevent the Chief granting the written request of, (al any two Firefighters to exchange shifts or days off; or (b) any two Dispatchers to exchange shifts or days off. Fire Prevention Officers, Training Officers and Znspectors shall work a system of hours to be determined and .scheduled in advance by the Fire Chief, provided, however, that the system shall in no way impair the efficiency of the Fire Department, and provided that their hours of work shall not exceed those of other employees. ARTICLE 4 - VACATIONS 4.01 All Employees who have completed the years of seniority shown below on the 30th day of June in any year shall be entitled to the corresponding vacation with pay: Years of Service Less than 1 year Length of Vacation with Pay One (1) day for each complete month of service to a total of two (2~ weeks Up to 4 years Two (2) weeks 4 years but less than 12 years Three (3) weeks 12 years but less than 20 years Four (4) weeks 20 years or more Five (5) weeks 25 years or more Six (6) weeks 4. 02 Ftrefighters' vacation periods shall be drawn by seniority. One Fire- fighter from each shift may take the same vacation period at the same time. At the discretion of the Fire Chief, those Fireftghters who are entitled to more than two reeks vacation may choose their entire allot- ment on a consecutive week basis if desired. After each Firefighter has had the opportunity in turn of making this choice, seniority shall again govern with respect to those Firefighters entitled to additional vacation periods using the above formula. -4- ARTICLE 4 - VACATIONS (Cont'd) 4.03 Dispatchers' vacation periods shall be drawn on a rotation basis as agreed upon by the Fire Chief and the Association; final decision will rest with the Fire Chief. fiD vacation time shall be lost as a result of an occupational illness or accident incurred in the performance of duty. Vacation date requests shall be submitted to the Fire Chief on or before February 1st of each year and the Vacation Schedule shall be posted on or before February lSth of each year. Vacations shall not be accumulative without the special permission of the Town Manager. Only one vacation accumulation or extended vacation will be permitted during each three {3) year period. ARTICLE 5 - STATUTORY HOLIDAYS 5.01 5.02 5.03 All Employees shall be entitled to twelve (12) statutory holidays in each year, plus any holiday declared by the Municipality in addition to those listed in Article 5.02, or a proportionate anount in the event of employment for less than the complete year. The following are considered as statutory holidays: New Year's Day Good Friday Easter Monday Victoria Day Dominion Day Civic Holiday Labour Day Thanksgiving Day Remembrance Day December 24th Christmas Day Boxing Day Such statutory holidays shall be taken by Firefighters as follows: {i) Four day's pay, and (ii) Either eight day's pay or eight off duty or any combination thereof at the Firefighter's option providing that this option has been stated in writing prior to February 1st in the year in which the statutory holidays occur. 5.04 Such statutory holidays shall be taken by Dispatchers as twelve day's pay. _.A_I)T%CLE 6'- WORIQ4EN'~ COMPENSATION 6.01 When an Employee .is injured at work and in receipt of workmen's compen- sation in lieu of his regular pay, the Corporation will make up the difference between such compensation and his regular pay. ARTICLE 7 -·SICK LEAVE 7.01 Each Emplbyee shall be entitled, up°n completion of three (3) month's employment, to sick leave which shall accumulate at the rate of one and one-half (1-1/2) days per month. The unused portion of an Employee's sick leave will be accumulated and carried forward from. one year to another provided that, to qualify for sick leave with pay,. an Employee shall, when requested by the Corporation, produce evidence of illness reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation. On retirement, separation, or death, an Employee or his beneficiary shall be entit- led to an amount equal to his salary, wages or other remuneration for one-half the number of days standing to his credit and in any event, not in excess of the amount of one-half years earnings (180 days) at the rate received by the Employee immediately prior to termination of employ- ment and providing that the Employee has completed three (3) years Of service with the Corporation immediately prior to the termination of employment. 7.'02 An unbroken month of service shall be one where an Employee is employed on all his working days in the month and is not absent from his duties other than on account of: (i) (ii) (iii) accident or illness; leave of absence granted under Article ll; bereavement leave granted under Article 12. ARTICLE 8 - HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL COVERAGE 8.01 The Corporation shall pay 100~ of the premium cost of the following: (a) Ontario Health Insurance Plan Life Insurance to two times the rate of a First Class Firefighter to the nearest $500.00 including an acci- dental death and dismemberment provision (c) Major Medical Plan including Prescription Drugs 8.02 8.03 The Corporation shall pay 75% of the premium cost of a Dental equivalent .to the Blue Cross Plan Number g, utilizing the 1981 O.D.A. fee schedule. Each Employee as a condition of employment, will participate tnthe existing Life Insurance Plan referred to in Article B. O1 (b), above. Plan -6- ARTICLE 9 - SALARIES 9.01 The following shall Classification 1st Class Firefighter 2nd Class Firefighter 3rd Class Ftrefighter 4th Class Firefighter Captain Fire Prevention & Training Officers Fire Inspector - Grade I Fire Inspector - Grade II Dispatcher (First 6 Months) Dispatcher - (After First 6 Months) be the scale of salaries paid to Employees: $31,2g0.00 90% of 1st Class Firefighter 80% of 1st Class Firefighter 67.5% of 1st Class Firefighter 115% of 1st Class Fireftghter 115% of 1st Class Firefighter 100% of 1st Class Firefighter '90% of 1st Class Firefighter 65% of 1st Class Firefighter 70% of 1st Class Firefighter 9.02 The Corporation hereby agrees that it shall withhold from the wages of all members of the permanent force of the Fire Department, all monthly dues which have been properly levied against Association members and will transmit same to the Treasurer of the Association at such time or times in each year as shall be mutually agreed upon by the Corporation and the Association. 9.03 (1) Overtime Overtime pay will be paid at the rate of 1-1/2 times the normal hourly rate of pay. The above will be paid quarterly. {2) Callback Any Employee who has completed a regular scheduled shift and gone home, if called back in for extra service shall receive l-l/2 times his regular rate. 9.04 When an Employee is subpoenaed to court as a result of pe)'forming his duties, he shall be paid straight time. 9.05 Statutory holidays and sick time payout upon severance or retirement of an Employee shall be calculated at the rate of 1/182 of a year's wages for their particular rank. ARTICLE 10 - PROMOTIONSt SENIORITY & LAYOFF PROMOTIONS - FIREFIGHT~S 10.01 (1) ~rnen a Ftreftghter is hired, he shall be o~ probation for a pertt~l · of twelve (12) months. (2) After serving the probationary period, each Firefighter shall be reviewed by the Chief with a view to advancement. (4) Thereafter, each Firefighter shall be reviewed, on the anniversary of his previous advancement, with a view to. further advancement until he bas reached the rank of First Class Firefighter. A Firefighter promoted to the position of Officer within the Fire Service shall serve a probationary period of six (6) months.' It is understood that in the event that a Firefighter promotedto the position of Officer is not confirmed, he shall have the right to return to his former rank.~ A Firefighter must serve the rank of First Class for a peried.of two years before being eligible for promotion to a higher rank. PRONOTIONS - DISPATCHERS 10.02 When a Dispatcher is hired, he shall be on probation for a period of 90 days. 10.03 Recoaeendations for all promotions of Dispatchers shall be based upon seniority of years of service within the Department, together vdth efficiency and due regard to skill, merit and ability. The Fire Chief shall be the one to' determine the efficiency of the Dispatcher and make his recommendations to the Town Manager whose decision is final. SENIORITY - FIREFIGHTERS & DISPATCHERS 10.04 (1) In determining an Employee's length of service for seniority pur- poses, co~utation will begin on the date the Employee began work. Former Employees re-entering the service after continuity of ser- vice has been broken by any reason (Her ~jesty's Service excepted) shall be considered new Employees, and seniority shall start as of the date they re-enter service. Seniority for a Dispatcher shall not be credited until the comple- tion of his probationary period; however, upon completion thereof he shall be deeTed to have acquired seniority and shall be credited with seniority in accordance vnth clause (1), above. 10.05 Seniority shall mean seniority of an Employee within his particular employee group (i.e. Firefighters or Dispatchers). 10.06 A seniority list shall be posted by the Corporation in all firehalls each)mar by. January 15th. LAY-OFF PROCEDURE - FIREFIGHTERS to.o7 (1) In the-event of a reduction in the Ftrefighter ~rk force, layoff shall cmeence with the Firefighter with the least amount of sen- .tority with the Firefighter group. -8- ARTICLE 10 ~ PROMOTIONS! SENIORZTY, & LAY-OFF (Cont'd) LAY-OFF PROCEDURE - F~REF~GHT£RS (Cont'd) (z) Firefighters so laid off shall r~tain, but shall not accrue, thetr seniority whtle latd off. In the event of recall or Increase in the work force, positions will be ftlled in reverse manner to the layo off. (3) A Fireftghter shall be deemed to have resigned if, after layoff, (al he fails to acknowledge his availability to report to work within five (5) days after notice of recall is issued by registered mail at the last known address (excluding Satur- days, Sundays and statutory holidays);.or. {b) he fails to report to work within ten (lO) days after notice of recall is issued. LAY-OFF PROCEDURE - DISPATCHERS lO.O8 (1) xn the event of a reduction in the Dispatcher work force, layoff shall cu,~ence with the Dispatcher with the least amount of total departmental seniority with the Dispatcher group. (2) (3) Dispatchers so laid off shall retain, but shall not accrue, their seniority while laid off. In the event of recall or increase in the work force, positions will be filled in reverse manner to the layoff. A Dispatcher shall be deemed to have resigned if, after layoff, (i) he fails to acknowledge his 'availability to report to wnrk within' five (S) day~ after notice of recall is issued by registered mail at the last known address (exclud- ing SatUrdays, Sundays and statutory holidays); or (ii) he fails to report to work within ten (10) days after notice of recall is issued. ARTICLE 11 - LEAVE OFABSENCE 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 The Corporation may grant leave of absence, without pay and without loss of seniority or occupational classification, to any Employee requesting such leave for a good and sufficient cause. Subject to the approval of the Town Manager, the Fire Chief may gr~nt leave of absence with pay to an Employee upon any special grounds, and the period of any such leave of absence shall be charged against the Employee's sick leave credits. All requests for leave of absence shall be in writing. An Employee may only accumulate seniority during the first three (3) months of a granted leave of absence under any paragraph of this Article. 11.05 When an Employee is subpoenaed as a Court witness, he shall not suffer any loss of salary or wages whtle so serving, provided that the Corpor- ation shall be obliged to pay only the difference between such Employ- ee's compensation for his witness fee or conduct money as a witness and the salary or wages which he would otherwise have earned had he worked the regular working day involved., ARTICLE 11 - LEAVE OF ABSENCE (Cont'd) 11.06 Leave of absence without pay or loss of seniority for attendance at Association Conventions will be granted to not more than one Employee for a period not to exceed six (6) days in any year, providing a replace- ment acceptable to'the Fire Chief is provided by the Association at straight time. ARTICLE 12 - BEREAVEMENT LEAVE 12. O1 Where in the discretion of the Fire Chief or the Town Manager it is justified, an Employee will be allowed up to three consecutive days off with pay when a death occurs in his immediate family, which shall mean, father, mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, sister, brother, spouse, child or other relatives living with the EmPloyee. 12.02 An Employee shall be allowed one (1) day off with pay when death occurs of a sister-in-law, brother-in-law, grandparent, son-in-law, daughter- in-law, or grandchild in order to attend the funeral and such leave shall be charged against the sick leave of the Employee. ARTICLE 13 - PENSIONS AND INSURANCE 13. O1 The Municipality agrees to continue the present OMERS Pension Plan which provides a Pension, equal to 2% of the Employee's annual contributory earnings during the 60 consecutive months of highest contributory earnings, mul- tiplied by the number of years of credited service since enrolment in OMERS after January, lqt, lg66 {maximum 35) e reduced, when the member is entitled to a pension under the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), by: the lesser of: (a) the average of YMPE for the ( year the member retires and I the two preceding years, or 0.7% X (b) pensionable earnings which ( are the average annual con- ( tributory earnings during ( the 60 consecutive months of highest contributory earnings number of years of credited service X since enrolment in OMERS after January 1st, 1966 (maximum 35) 4. For Firefighters only, the Corporation agrees to provide, (a) an OMERS Type II Supplementary Pension Plan, using the 2% Formula, to be replaced by (b) an OMERS Type ! Supplementary Pension Plan using the 2% Formula, on and after January 1st, 19B3. The cost of such Plans will be assumed by the Corporation. 13.02 The E~loyee's record of the pension contributions shall he made avail- able for individual approval annually. - 10- ARIICLE 13 - PENSIONS AND INSURANCE (Cont'd) 13.03 All Employees shall, as a condition of employment, participate in the Pension Plan in effect at the time of commencement of enployment. 13.04 All Firefighters reaching normal retlrenent age, sixty (60) years, shall 'be obliged to retire from the Corporation on the last day of the month after the attainment of the normal retirement age, as defined in the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System Pension Plan. ARTICLE 14 - UNIFORMS & EQUIPMENT UNIFORMS & EQUIPMENT - FIREFIGHTERS 14.01 The Corporation agrees to supply all full-time Firefighters with the following: {a) One tunic every three years (b) Three pairs of uniform pants every two years {to alternate with summer weight pants) subject to the provision that items (a), (b), (c), (d), shall not he supplied to probationary Firefighters. (c) Four uniform shirts each year (two shirts to be short- sleeved) (d) Two uniform ties each year (e) One uniform winter coat every four years (f} One uniform cap each year (g) Two permanent press fatigue shirts each year (h} Two pairs of permanent press fatigue pants each year (i) One pair of rubber boots, for renewal at the discretion of the Fire Chief (j} One safety helmet with front name shield and flip-up shield affixed, for renewal at the discretion of the Fire Chief (k) One modern fire coat, for renewal at the discretion of the Fire Chief. The Corporation agrees to phase in new fire- fighting coats at a standard equal to a Safety Supply Company Systems 3, 7.5 Nomex coat with Fire Marshal's Scotchlite reflective markings. Coats to have one internal and two external pockets (1) One pair of rubber mitts and one pair of Nomex gloves (m) Insoles as needed (n) All shoulder flashes to he affixed to new uniforms when supplied (e) and (f) ARTICLE 14 - UNIFORMS & EQUIPMENT (Cont'd) UNIFORMS & EquIPMENT- FIREFIGHTERS (Cont'd) 14.0~ The measuring and ordering of uniforms shall be c~leted by the first day of February of each year. 14.03 The Corporation agrees to permit the Association to p6ovtde beds and' bedding, at each fireha11, for use of Flrefighters on night shift. The Association wtll be responsible for all costs involved, including the cost of laundry and under no circumstances will the Corporation assume any portion of such costs, either directly or indirectly. UNIFORMS & EQUIPMENT - DISPATCHERS 14.04 The Corporation agrees to supply all Dispatchers ~th the following: (a) One tunic every three years (b) Three pairs of uniform pants every two years (to alter- nate with sunzner weight pants) (c) Four uniform shirts each yAar (d) Two uniform ties each year (e) One uniform ~dnter coat every four years (f) One uniform cap every two years (g) All shoulder flashes to.be affixed to new uniforms when supplied subject to the provision that items (a), {b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) shall not be supplied to probationary Dispatchers. 14.05 The measuring and ordering of uniforms shall be completed, by the first day of February of each year. ARTICLE 15 - ACTING P~ANK - FIREFIGHTERS 15.01 When no Captain (other than a Fire Prevention Officer, Training Officer or Inspector) is on duty in the Department, (a) a First Class Firefighter previously designated as an Acting Captain, or (b) if no such Acting Captain is on duty in the Department, the most senior qualified Firefighter who is on duty, shall be required by the Fire Chief to perform the duties of such a Captain and shall be paid at a Captain's rate while performing those duties. 15.02 Article 15.01 does not apply to Firefighters requested to perform the duties of a Captain ~no is, (a) a Fire Prevention Officer, (b) a Training Officer, or (c). an Inspector. ARTICLE 16 - DISCHARGE OR DISCIPLINE 16.01 The procedure governing discharge cases shall be pursuant to Section 4 of the Fire Departments Act. 16.02 Cases involving alleged unjust discipline or suspension shall start at Stage 4 of the Grievance Procedure. 16.03 A Firefighter or Dispatcher who.ts exonerated under section 16.01 hereof, or 16.02 hereof, shall be reinstated and paid his salary for the time lost. 17. O1 ARTICLE 17 - GRIEVANCEPROCEDURE The Employees shall appoint a Grievance Conmnittee from among their mem- bers of three (3) persons, and shall notify the Corporation of the personnel of such Con~nittee and any changes made therein from time to time. 17.'02 In the event of a complaint or grievance relating to the interpretation, application or administration of this 6greement, including any allega- tion that this Agreement has been violated or any question as to whether a matter is arbitrable, or as the result of any action involving an Employee, he may then proceed as follows:' STAGE 1 - The Employee max take up the matter in writing with the officer in charge of his shift not later than forty-eight (48) hours after the date of the incident complained of, and failing settlement within forty-eight (48) hours. STAGE g - The Employee ~y take up the matter with the Fire Chief within forty-eight (4B) hours of the date he took the matter up with the officer in charge of the shift. STAGE 3 - If the matter is not settled by the Fire Chief within fort~- eight (48) hours of the date it was taken up with him, the Grievance Committee accompanied by the Employee may take the matter up with the Town Manager within forty-eight {48) hours of the date it was first taken up with the Fire Chief by the Employee. STAGE 4 - If the matter is not settled by the Town Manager within five (5) working days of the date it was taken up with him at Stage 3, it may be re~erred by the GrievanceCommittee, within seven (7) v~rklng days of the date it was taken up with the Town 14anager to the Executive C~ittee of Council. STAGE 5 - If the matter is not settled by the Executive Committee of Council it may, by notice in writing to the Town Manager, be referred to arbitration by the Grievance Committee under Article 18 of this Agreement within seven (7) working days of the date it was first taken up with the Executive of Council. GROUP GRIEVANCES 17.03 In case a group of Employees has an alleged grievance, it shall be taken up by the Grievance Camntttee starting at Stage 3. - 13- ARTICLE 17 - GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE (Cont'd) GENERAL GRIEVANCES 17.04 Any difference arising directly between the Association and the Town concerning the interpretation or violation of the terms or provisions of this Agreement may be submitted to either Party by the other at Stage 4 within and not after ten (10) work~ng days of the date of the incident complained of. 17.05 In determining the time within which anY step is to he taken under the foregoing provisions of this Article, Saturdays, Sundays and Statutory Holidays shall be excluded. Time limits fixed by this Article may be extended by agreement in writing between the Parties. 17.06 At any Stage of the Grievance Procedure, including arbitration, the conferring parties may have the assistance of the Employees concerned and any necessary witnesses, and all reasonable arrangements shall be made to permit the conferring parties to have access to the Department, to view disputed operations and to confer with the necessary witnesses. ARTICLE 18 - ARBITRATION 18.01 Where a difference arises between the Parties relating to the interpre- tation, application or administration of this Agreement or where an allegation is made that the Agreement has been violated, either of the Parties may, after exhausting the Grievance Procedure as set out in Article 17, notify the other Party in writing of its desire to submit the difference or allegation to arbitration and if the recipient of the notice and the Party desiring the arbitration do not within fifteen (15) days agree upon a single arbitrator, the appointment of a single arbitrator shall be made by the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General upon the request of either Party, and the arbitrator shall commence to hear and determine the difference or allegation within thirty (30) days after his appointment or at such other time as may be agreed upon by the Parties and the arbitrator, and the arbitrator shall issue a decision within a reasonable time after hearing the difference or allegation and the arbitrator's decision is final and binding upon the Parties. The arbitrator shall not have any authority to alter or change any of the provisions of this Agreement or to substitute any new provision in lieu thereof or to give any decision contrary to the terms and conditions 6f this Agreement, or in any way modify, add to or detract from any provi- sion of this Agreement. Each of the Parties to this Agreement will share equally the fees and disbursements of the arbitrator. ARTICLE 19 - FIRE DEPARTMENTS ACT 19.01 The provisions of the Fire Departments Act, R.S.O. 1980, c.64, as may be amended from time to time, shall apply to this Agreement. ARTICLE 20 - DURATION 20.01 This Agreement shall ~e in force and effect from the first day of Jan- uary, 1983 until the 31st day of December, 1983 and from year to year thereafter. In the event of either Party desiring or proposing any change or alteration in the Agreement, such Party shall give to the. other Party not less than thirty (30) days written notice before the renewal date and both Parties shall thereupon negotiate in good· faith in respect to the matters which it is proposed to change or alter and the remaining provisions shall automatically renew themselves. ARTICLE 21 - INTERPRETATION. 21.01 In this Agreement, where the context or circumstances require, (al (b) (c) and related words and phrases shall singular shall be construed as plural, plural shall he construed as singular, and masculine shall be construed as feminine, be construed accordingly. IN WITNESS WHEREOF .the Corporation has hereunto affixed its Corporate Seal under the hands of its duly authorized officers, and the Town of Pickering Professional Firefighters' Association, Local 1632, International Association of Firefighters has caused this instrument to be executed by its proper officers duly authorized. THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF PICKERING THE TOWN OF PICKERING PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS' ASSOCIATION LOCAL 1632, ,INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS / £ / /" ~ / /' / "