November 4, 2009 at 6:45 PM
To: ALL CAW MEMBERS OF CANADIAN NORTH
This information bulletin is in response to the announcement made by your employer earlier today.
A memo was put out to all Canadian North associates by Stephen Hankirk on Oct 9 through the corporate intranet to clarify rumours about moving the FBO location from Northgate aviation and renting space from Executive Flight Centre at Hanger #2 and usage of their FBO. There was no mention of any changes this would have on the CAW employees.
Late last week Stephen Hankirk requested a meeting for Friday, October 30th with your union leadership to make an announcement. Local 2002 Executive Assistant Ron DiPasquale, District Chairperson Aida Kirameddine and I, your National Rep Mike Byrne, attended this meeting and were informed that the decision the company was making to relocate also involved a third party doing work that traditionally belonged to CAW members. When asked by Aida if the company even attempted in negotiations with Executive Flight Centre to have our members work out of that location the answer was no. The employer also stated that the move would result in the loss of possibly seven part time jobs.
Of course we were both disappointed and angered with the Employer’s decision. We told Stephen Hankirk that we felt this was not only a poor business decision but also a violation of our collective agreement. We informed the company that we wanted themto reconsider their decision and if they proceeded we would address it through the grievance procedure.
Aida was informed today that the company was going forward with the decision to outsource the bargaining unit work that will be done out of the new location.
We understand that this is terrible news to our members, in addition to the recent closures of the YYC and YHY bases. Although we have no control over the economic climate that is affecting the airline industry we do have a collective agreement that protects the work we are currently doing from being outsourced and we intend to do just that through the grievance procedure.
For current updates on the situation refer to your local union website: www.caw2002tca.ca
In Solidarity
Mike Byrne
National Representative CAW/TCA Canada