We want to update you on the ongoing discussions regarding the proposed changes to the Court Attendant Uniform Dress Code. As you may be aware, the Court has proposed a policy update that aims to make the dress code gender-neutral by removing references to men and women, and implementing a unified standard for all Court Attendants.
While we fully support the principle of inclusivity, we strongly disagree with one specific change the Court has proposed: eliminating blouses from the dress code. Court Attendants have historically been able to wear blouses as part of their uniforms, and many of our members are comfortable and satisfied with this option. Blouses have long been a part of the dress code, and there is no logical or valid reason why they should be removed from the options available to our members.
At our most recent meeting, we made it clear to the Court that this proposed change is not acceptable, as it disregards the preferences of our members. UPE strongly rejected this proposal, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the option for blouses, which many of our members find both comfortable and appropriate for their roles.
We are pleased to report that the Court has agreed to meet again to further discuss this matter and address our concerns. We will continue to advocate for your rights and push for a solution that respects the preferences and needs of our members while also ensuring that the uniform policy remains fair and inclusive.
UNIFORM MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE AND COST REIMBURSEMENT PROPOSALS
In addition to the dress code changes, we also raised concerns about the financial impact of uniforms on our members. UPE proposed an increase in both the Yearly Uniform Maintenance Allowance and the Initial Uniform Cost Reimbursement to help offset the rising costs of uniform components.
We have proposed raising the Yearly Uniform Maintenance Allowance from $750 to $900, and increasing the Initial Uniform Cost Reimbursement from $450 to $600. These allowances have not been increased in a number of years, and with the rising costs of uniforms, this adjustment is necessary to help ensure that our members are not bearing an unfair burden when it comes to maintaining and purchasing their required uniforms.
We believe these increases are a fair and reasonable request, and we will continue to advocate for them as part of the ongoing negotiations.
We will keep you updated as discussions progress on both the uniform policy changes and the financial allowances. If you have any questions or would like to provide feedback, please reach out to your UPE representative.
