Does the union have obligations as well in the context of my accommodation request?

In the context of the duty to accommodate, a union cannot cause or contribute to a discriminatory practice or impede the employer's accommodation attempts. Although the employer remains primarily responsible for ensuring the accommodation needs of the employee, the union must work with the employer to help find a proper and agreeable accommodation solution.

The union, like the employer, cannot contract out of human rights legislation and will need to work with the employer to help accommodate the member in need of accommodation.  Of course, employees can make their accommodation requests without union assistance or involvement if they prefer. However, some more complicated cases could benefit from our intervention to ensure that your needs are being met in a timely manner.