EVAS Air Pilots: BARGAINING UPDATE # 2

EVAS Air Pilots: BARGAINING UPDATE # 2

December 13, 2018 at 1:00 PM

We would like to advise our members that the Company has recently agreed to our notice to bargain a new collective agreement and they have agreed to meet with the Bargaining Committee on January 8th, 2019. We look forward to sitting at the bargaining table and negotiating the many proposed improvements that the pilots have requested in their new agreement.   
 
Membership Feedback: Addressing the Rumor Mill
We would like to thank the members for their feedback and questions. We have heard from many of you that the Company has been speaking to our members about joining another union. 

For now, we are treating this as nothing but a rumor, and are currently looking into this matter.  If this did happen, it is obviously a scare tactic that the Company is trying to use to make the pilots nonunion again.  
 
If the pilots did become nonunionized this would mean that the current collective agreement would be annulled and our members would have no workplace protection. This would then force the pilots to go through another prolonged process of trying to get a first collective agreement in place.  We have contacted the Company to ask them why they are suggesting this tactic and are waiting for their response.  Once we have their response, we will ensure to communicate this to our members.  
 
How the Collective Bargaining Process Works:
We also had lots of questions from the membership regarding the bargaining process, we thought it would be helpful to provide you with an overview of how the process of bargaining usually works.
 
All Unifor Local 2002 members work under the protection of a collective agreement negotiated with their employer. These agreements are usually in effect for a three-year term and cover a wide range of work-related concerns, including wages, hours of work, benefits, overtime, and health & safety.
 
Preparation:
A Bargaining Committee is formed – The Unifor Bargaining Committee for this round of negotiations will be made up of union members from the workplace, Unifor Local 2002 and Unifor.
  • Captain Stephen Dodsworth, based in Gander
  • Captain Lyndon Rowe, based in Gander
  • Captain Brian Burris, based in Halifax
  • Ashley Watkins – Assistant to Local 2002 President
  • Chad Johnston – Unifor National Representative
Unifor conducts surveys and meets with members to hear from them on changes they wish to see in their collective agreement. Unifor provides notice to bargain to EVAS and the parties establish dates for negotiations.
 
Negotiations with EVAS AIR: Protecting your Interests at the Table
The parties begin negotiations with the intent of reaching a tentative agreement.  If one side is not satisfied that negotiations are proceeding effectively than they can file for conciliation and request the assistance of a Federal Government appointed Conciliator.  
  • If a tentative agreement is reached then the Unifor Bargaining Committee will present the tentative agreement to the membership. 
  • The membership will vote on whether to vote yes to accept the tentative agreement or vote no to reject the tentative agreement.  
  • If the members vote yes then the tentative agreement becomes the new ratified collective agreement for the membership.  The process is complete and the new collective agreement is printed and distributed.  This is what happens about 98% of the time with Unifor. 
What is Conciliation? How does it Work?  
  • Unifor files a Notice of Dispute to the Federal Minister of Labour
  • Minister will appoint a Federal Conciliation Officer within 15 days 
  • The Conciliator will meet with Union and Employer over a 60-day period to facilitate negotiations
  • The parties may agree to extend the conciliation period if negotiations are progressing
  • At the end of this period, the parties enter a 21 day "cooling off period”
  • Conciliator files report to the Federal Minister of Labour
  • While in conciliation, the Company may not lock out employees and the Union may not go on strike
  • Strike action is only ever taken as a last resort and after conditions (such as a strike vote and 72 hours advance notice) are met. Should we get to this point, all measures and implications of a strike vote will be communicated in detail to the membership.
Unifor has your Back! We Stand together in Solidarity
While strikes tend to get media attention, the reality is that Unifor negotiates over 98% of their collective agreements without a strike. 
 
As you may be aware, our members at DJ Composites in Gander were faced with a dreadful lockout for almost two years. For any of you who have had the opportunity to speak to these members of Local 597, you will know that they were very grateful for the overwhelming support they received across Canada. These members showed their undeniable strength when we stand together in solidarity. 

 
Staying – in the Loop during Negotiations                   
At key times during negotiations, your Bargaining Committee will send important updates to the membership (via e-news, and Unifor Local 2002 website). Please ensure that you keep us updated with your contact information, and subscribe to e-news at www.unifor2002.org
 
Thank you for your continued support, if you are speaking to your fellow colleagues and they are not receiving this communication, please have them contact one of the Bargaining Committee representatives, they will ensure they are added to the distribution list.
 
In solidarity,
Your Bargaining Committee
Captain Stephen Dodsworth - Gander
Captain Lyndon Rowe - Gander
Captain Brian Burris- Halifax
Ashley Watkins – Assistant to Local 2002 President
Chad Johnston – Unifor National Representative

 
For more information, please contact
Ashley Watkins - Assistant to the Local President