May 19, 2015 at 3:00 PM
PDF - Notes from Negotes 
Contracting out at Air Canada is lethal for employees and passengers alike
Although negotiations between the company and the
union are suspended, our determination and vigilance as we protect our scope
work continues. The bargaining committee pushed for earlier arbitration dates
regarding wheelchair work at Pearson and we are pleased to announce that the
hearings will resume May 27, 28 and 29.
This dispute is not only about 130 special
assistance positions in Toronto. We must not accept the company’s cavalier
attitude towards our work and standby while these good jobs are lost forever. As
soon as a third party is permitted to make arbitrary decisions that diminishes
our scope duties (decisions that fly in the face of protections under the Canada
Labour Code and arbitral jurisprudence) then all of our work, in every function
and every station across the country is under threat.
That is why it is imperative that we stop this
lethal action now, before it goes any further.
Discussions have taken place at the highest levels
between Unifor and Air Canada. Unfortunately, the company continues to offer no
meaningful solutions to the serious issue of contracting out by airport
authorities.
"It is completely unacceptable for the GTAA to make
unilateral decisions that affect our bargaining relationship with Air Canada,"
says Unifor president Jerry Dias.
President Dias has requested a four-party meeting,
currently in the process of being scheduled, with Air Canada president and CEO
Calin Rovinescu, GTAA president and CEO Howard Eng, federal Transportation
Minister Lisa Raitt and federal Labour Minister Kellie Leitch, with the goal to
resolve this impasse and ultimately avoid unnecessary job action.
Getting the facts, just the facts!
Information is powerful, but the wrong information
can be dangerous.
During bargaining rumours are like grass fires in a
drought, they start easily and spread fast. It’s easy to be distracted and
divided by the smoke (and mirrors). Stay focused on the issues.
If you hear a rumour about bargaining, don’t spread
the fire, put it out!
Check with your district chair or bargaining
committee person to get the facts, just the facts. |
Lock out?
Air Canada’s lack of support for its employees has
many members wondering if the rumours of a lock out will come to pass. A lockout
is similar to a strike, however it is initiated by the employer instead of the
union. Such extreme action on the company’s part would be irresponsible,
especially when there is a reasonable and achievable solution within our grasp: RESPECT our scope work and the language in our collective agreement!
Unifor will continue to utilize all of our
resources in an effort to find a resolve. If this is not achieved, the first
possible date of a lock out or strike is June 2, 2015. Prior to exercising the
intent (to lock-out/strike) 72 hours’ notice must be given by either party.
Strike vote
The protection of our scope work is essential;
without job security, everything else becomes secondary.
As members of a union we know that we must defend
the job security of the most junior among us, just as the workers who have gone
before us fought for the rights that we benefit from.
If required, Local 2002 will conduct strike vote
meetings across the country in early June. Please plan to attend these very
important meetings for detailed information.
Stay strong, stay united and stay tuned!
Connect with Unifor 2002 on social media
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