August 11, 2016 at 3:24 PM
On August 8, 2016 Unifor received notification that a group identifying as the Frontline Workers Union (FWU) have applied to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) for certification to represent workers at ASP.
Our members are questioning the validity of the FWU. The group has no track record, no bargained collective agreements, no constitution, no online profile and it operates out of a house in a residential area. We understand our members’ concerns and applaud their diligence to protect the gains and security achieved these past four years with Unifor— gains that we continue to build upon in this current round of negotiations.
Bargaining with the company opened on July 7, 2016. New dates have yet to be confirmed as we await to hear if ASP will be awarded the security services contract for Pearson International Airport. The current contract with the GTAA expires in November 2016. When the Request for Proposal (RFP) process opened earlier this year, the GTAA was clear that they wanted labour contracts in place before they awarded the contract.
This latest grab for ASP workers deliberately jeopardizes the hard work being done by the bargaining committee and puts our members’ very jobs at risk.
As per the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) the employer must post a notice of the application for representation in the workplace. In doing so, the company is merely fulfilling their legal obligations and not endorsing the applicant. Unifor must file a response to the CIRB by August 15. Then, all parties involved will meet on August 18 to determine how the actual vote will be conducted.
These are trying times for our hard-working members at ASP. We will continue to keep you informed as new information unfolds. Please do not hesitate to contact our experienced and dedicated Local 2002 representatives who are always available to answer your questions or concerns.