March 26, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Recently the CAW held a number of information
sessions with the employees of the GTAA. We were pleased that so many of you
took the time to attend our open meeting(s). The following is a cross section of
the types of Questions and Answers discussed at the meetings:
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1.
What steps are next and when does the CAW begin to represent all members of
the GTAA? |
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The CAW and the GTAA must agree
on the definition of the bargaining unit in order for the CIRB to issue the
bargaining certificate to the CAW. This bargaining certificate awards legal
rights to the CAW to represent all workers at the GTAA. |
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2.
When does the CAW and GTAA have to report to the CIRB, and what is the date
for? |
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April 30th is the date that has
been set by the CIRB for the parties (CAW and the GTAA) to report back on
their progress as it relates to the bargaining unit description. |
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3.
What is the time frame for getting the Certification? |
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Realistically it will take
several weeks from when the CAW and GTAA are scheduled to report to the
CIRB. |
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4.
Why is the CAW asking the GTAA for a list of represented and non-represented
employees? |
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We need to make sure that we do
not miss anyone that is currently under one of the union contracts. |
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5.
Will anyone be taken out of the bargaining unit? |
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No. However, there may be a
classification(s) that may have their job description altered. |
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6.
What happens to the outstanding grievances? |
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Once a certification is issued
by the CIRB the CAW will become everyone’s bargaining agent and will take
carriage of all outstanding grievances. Until the certification is issued
PSAC continues to handle outstanding issues. The CAW will contact PSAC/UTCE
make sure they uphold their responsibility under the law. We are working to
get the information on the grievances in advance. |
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7.
Do we file grievances now or wait? |
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All grievances should be filed
within the timelines prescribed in each of the respective collective
agreements. |
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8.
What happens to arbitrations? |
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If dates are set then they
should continue. Once the certification is issued then the CAW will take
carriage of them. |
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9.
Could you explain the process for gathering information for bargaining? |
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We (CAW) generally gather
information from the membership throughout the life of the contract. Once
the contract is close to expiring we have proposal meetings with the
membership to get their input on what they would like to see within the new
agreement. |
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10.
What size bargaining Committee will we have? |
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The total number has not been
set. This committee for this round will likely be larger than in future
rounds. It will consist of the current CAW bargaining committee who have
been newly elected prior to the vote with the addition of other members from
the current PSAC groups to ensure there is a cross section of the
membership, classifications, and work locations. |
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11.
Are all representatives on the Bargaining Committee voted in? |
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Yes, they are voted in by work
place balloting and work with the Local and National Representative(s). |
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12.
During the bargaining process do we continue under our own contracts? |
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Yes. Your current agreements
are still in place until a new agreement is ratified by you the membership. |
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13.
How will Supervisors in T3 be dealt with by the CAW? |
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There job description may have
to change. |
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14.
How will you deal with trades that work in different areas on their distinct
issues? |
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We have a workplace Skilled
Trades Representative that will work in conjunction with the CAW National
Skill Trade department. The workplace representative will be talking to many
of the skill trades in order to find out any and all differences that
currently exist throughout the work place. |
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15.
Will the memberships get to ratify and vote on the new agreement? |
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16.
How long (i.e. duration) will the new agreement be? |
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The CAW tends to bargaining 3
year agreements. |
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17.
Will Union dues remain the same? |
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No. The dues for the current
PSAC members will be a slightly lower than what they have been paying. The
dues for the CAW are 2hours and 20 minutes per month. |
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18.
What will happen with seniority? |
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The CAW’s position is that
company seniority (date of hire) will be dovetailed. |
19.
Once the CAW is certified, will there be an election for shop steward/reps
and what will be the process?
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