October 21, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
You will recall the significant amount of challenges we faced during our recent round of negotiations. The membership should continue to be extremely proud of their bargaining committee for their fight and for challenging Air Canada on the numerous concessions they tabled during bargaining.
The critical issue of the pension was put before Arbitrator Kevin Burkett. The issue of defined benefit pensions for newly hired employees was based upon a mutually agreed mediation and arbitration process.
Air Canada refused to engage in meaningful dialogue and the final offer tabled before Burkett by Air Canada was a defined contribution plan for new employees. The CAW following the failure of mediation proposed a hybrid defined benefit/defined contribution model which in essence, was the final decision of the arbitrator.
Despite the arbitrator’s 62 page ruling in favour of the CAW’s hybrid pension, Air Canada on October 18th filed two applications for judicial review to have the decision of the arbitrator over turned. This is absolutely unconscionable and reflects the arrogance and lack of respect for the process and our members.
The purpose of the two applications appears to mean that Air Canada has not yet decided whether their case should be filed with the Provincial Court of Ontario or the Federal Court of Canada. To say that the CAW is infuriated by this decision of Air Canada would be an understatement. Discussions scheduled between CAW and Air Canada’s actuaries to discuss the implementation of the arbitrator’s award have now been cancelled.
Attached you will find correspondence from National President Ken Lewenza to CEO Calin Rosinescu that outlines our disgust concerning this arrogant decision. Our legal counsel and actuaries will now prepare our defence and challenge Air Canada’s application for judicial review.
We will keep our members apprised of any future developments.
In Solidarity,
Ken Lewenza, National President
Peter Kennedy, National Secretary-Treasurer
Jean-Pierre Fortin, Quebec Director
Jamie Ross, President, CAW Local 2002
Paul Janssen, Bargaining Committee Chairperson, Local 2002
Dave Hoskins, Bargaining Committee, Local 2002
Frances Galambosy, Bargaining Committee, Local 2002
Ted Mossa, Bargaining Committee, Local 2002
Euila Leonard, Bargaining Committee, Local 2002
[ Please click here to view letter ]
For more information, please contact:
Jamie Ross, President - CAW Local 2002