Inadequate Parking Grievance – Updates

Hopefully you’ve all read our previous blog post on gathering more data about inadequate parking at Interurban Campus. And, for all of you who’ve sent us your data, reports, photos, and more – we want to thank you & ask that you keep them coming! We also want to know what happened when you disputed a ticket! The reason why we want you to keep sending us this information is because we intend to continue this grievance, and the next steps lead us to Arbitration.

Here’s some new information we’ve learned about Clause 19 Parking that one of our own members clued us in to on a new CRA administrative policy on “Scramble Parking”

What is it? Parking where the employer provides a limited number of parking spaces 

Under the CRA’s administrative policy, if our employer provides parking with a limited number of parking spaces, the benefit is not taxable if all of the following apply:

1. not more than 2 parking spaces available for every 3 employees who want parking (scramble parking)
2. parking spaces are not assigned (random or uncertain – like STAFF vs. pay parking)
3. parking spaces are offered to all employees who want parking

“The ratio is based on the average of parking spaces that the employer can reasonably expect to be needed on a regular basis. For example, if over the course of the year, the employer reasonably expects there are 3 employees wanting parking for every 2 available parking spaces on most days, we would view the available parking to be insufficient for that year. The calculation should be made on an annual basis or sooner, if there is a significant change to the ratio.

Since the employee’s access to parking is random and uncertain, it may be difficult and excessively burdensome for the employer to determine the benefit enjoyed by any particular employee. In this situation, no taxable benefit will be required to be included in income,” (from the CRA website.)

This may mean we’re all entitled to tax refunds, IF we refile our taxes after the College supplies us with new T4s for the applicable period when the new ratio for Scramble Parking rules took effect. The Union believes the College to be incorrectly calculating our taxable benefit on the basis of ALL employees (not just CCFA members) using STAFF spaces and by not divulging to us all the parking census data and the total number of STAFF spaces available relevant to the total number of employees there’s no way for us to verify it without going to arbitration. The implications of this potentially impact ALL employees at the college who use STAFF spaces, so we’re not going to give up without a final resolution!

As a reminder, here’s how to help:

• Given that there is already a CCFA grievance in process respectfully request that any tickets you get are waived. Be sure to use 23-07 CCFA Grievance, Expedited Arbitration – Inadequate Parking as the subject of your email.
• Every time you have an issue finding parking, get a ticket, or see students using STAFF spaces, report it to us, Robbins, AND Cam-motion..
• Send us your photos & video when you can’t find parking. Be sure to include the date & time of day.
• Count the STAFF stalls in the lot that you normally use. Tell us which lot & how many there are.
• Tell us if you used to regularly use the Camosun Shuttle between campuses rather than driving and parking at Interurban.
• Let us know if you have signed up for the new Alternative Transportation Program (or plan to).
• Tell us your ideas for how to relieve the parking congestion.

We expect that evidence for this case will be heard during the Winter semester, so we need you to keep sending in your reports. Please let us know if you’d be willing to give testimony to help us achieve a resolution!