July 31, 2013 at 3:55 PM
Members of Jazz CSA/ACS have understandably expressed their disappointment and anger, following the announcement of Arbitrator Tom Hodges interest award on July 18, 2013.
Jazz CSA/ACS workers are the latest victims of the ongoing corporate "race to the bottom” mentality. Under the umbrella of "financial well-being and economic viability,” companies continue to undercut each other while they scavenge for aircraft servicing contracts. It is doubtful if any other industry has been hit as hard as the airline transportation sector.
The interest award is the unfortunate conclusion of a long series of events. Many of you have asked, how did this happen? How did we get here?
Even before bargaining officially commenced, your elected bargaining committee promised to communicate to you often and with transparency. We have upheld that commitment and issued regular bulletins and newsletters.
And we continue to be up front with you.
Exactly one year ago in Toronto, the bargaining committee and representatives from the National CAW met with Jazz leadership, representing nearly 50 bases across Canada, in order to prepare and strategize for the next round of collective bargaining.
"Make no mistake; this industry, the economic health of our communities and the livelihood of our members is under attack,” CAW President Ken Lewenza told the group.
Your bargaining committee and leadership were under no illusions; we knew that we were going into battle and that we would have to fight for the survival of our membership and workplaces.
Bargaining commenced in October 2012 and from the start the company took an aggressive stance on several contentious issues like base closures, contracting out and divisive B-scale wages.
We made progress on many of the non-monetary issues. In spite of this, it was evident to the bargaining committee that the company was preparing to put the Jazz membership in a lockout/strike position. Your union was not about to be legislated into mandated arbitration under the boot heel of the federal government.
And so, in February 2013, we agreed to enter into a mediation/arbitration process with arbitrator Tom Hodges, who was to assist the parties while we attempted to reach a negotiated settlement. Again, the alternative was to have the government set the rules.
The company refused to budge from their position and maintained their position on cuts, closures and contracting out. We were unable to reach a negotiated settlement. As a result, the arbitrator was given jurisdiction to resolve all outstanding issues remaining from collective bargaining.
There are some gains made in the award but there are painful losses. It seems that the downward spiral cannot be prevented; only mitigated. The committee acutely feels the negative repercussions; we too, are members.
We too, want answers.
In the award, the arbitrator stated that the impact of the changes in staffing can be offset with a gradual implementation and with a co-ordinated use of voluntary separation and relocation packages. Timelines and implementation details have yet to be established.
There are many questions to be asked and when the committee meets with the company on August 7 and 8, 2013 we intend to ask them. You deserve answers and assuredness, not opinions and suppositions. Once the bargaining committee has the facts we will hold membership meetings.
The responsibility of the bargaining committee is to ensure that the collective agreement and the terms of this award are followed and that our membership is treated in a fair and respectful manner.
We understand your frustrations; these are uncertain and unsettling times in our workplaces and we thank you for your patience.