April 3, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Recently there have been some rumors regarding the Company’s possible
involvement in some external business opportunities that would involve Jazz
aircraft and personnel flying and working to compliment other companies in a
charter capacity.
Last week a conference call was held with Jazz Management where they informed
the Union that an opportunity to base up to two DHC-8 aircraft in the Caribbean
for twelve months has presented itself. Although the contract with the
Caribbean-based operator has not been finalized, preparations are going ahead to
ready our people to be dispatched to maintain the aircraft which will be based
in St. Marten.
There will be a need for up to four maintenance personnel based on a ninety-day
rotating “Special Assignment.” This would provide for up to sixteen people to
have the opportunity to participate over the twelve-month period. The CAW and
Jazz Management are currently working on a Letter of Understanding to define the
details of this opportunity. Unlike the flight crews, our Collective Agreement
has language covering the terms of such assignments and the LOU will be added to
cover any additional benefits.
Currently, we are looking at the National Treasury Board Standard for daily
living expenses in the particular country in which we will be operating.
According to this standard we can expect an additional eighty-six dollars added
to the existing fifty dollars per day afforded by the Collective Agreement for a
total of one hundred and thirty-six dollars per day in per diems. The Company is
also prepared to pay an increase of twenty percent in salary. In addition,
accommodations, laundry, ground transportation and some type of phone-card
system will also be supplied. All of this will be consistent with other employee
groups.
Over the next four weeks the Union and Company will have all the details worked
out as this opportunity could start as early as May 2008. After the LOU has been
signed there will be sign-up sheets for this opportunity posted system wide as
per the Special Assignment language in the Collective Agreement.
Jazz Tech Bargaining Committee
John Murawesky, Chairperson
Peter Brown, YYC
Ian Waite, YXU
Ghobud Khorasani, YYZ
Daniel Marion, YUL
David Gylland, YHZ
Roberto Lampasona, Tech II