When the union asked for access to the factory on short notice, they were turned down. Management wanted at least a week’s notice. The arbitrator felt that the short notice was not unreasonable, but under the circumstances (there were no management personnel available to supervise the visit), the request could legitimately be refused.
When a union representative’s request to visit the plant was put off until the following week, the union grieved. The union characterized the employer’s denial of its request for access as a violation of the collective agreement.
