December 18, 2008 at 12:00 AM
On December 3, a hearing was held with Mr. M. Teplitsky, regarding the Policy Grievance, “Time Stamping” for individual tasks. Mr. Teplitsky told the Company that the “Deal” negotiated with the Union as outlined in the letter to the Area Director dated March 2006 was binding and to be honored.
The Company contended that it was not getting an accurate idea for planning purposes, on how long tasks were taking to be completed. Mr. Teplitsky suggested that the Company put out a communication to its employees regarding the expectations of the way the Trax system was to be utilized in its current form.
The Company has published its communication and unveiled it to Base Managers across the system. With this communication it has become apparent that there was a distinct difference of opinion as to the outcome of the Grievance Hearing. This difference of opinion has sparked troubles in the Heavy Maintenance bases of London and more so in Halifax.
On December 17, the Bargaining Committee and Company had a conference call with Mr. Teplitsky to try and get clarification regarding the outcome of the Grievance Hearing. The Arbitrator explained that he thought the Grievance was “settled.” As he could not resolve the current situation with either the Union or the Company, Teplitsky ordered the parties to have representatives attend a meeting in his office on December 23, 2008.
If there is no resolve as a result of this meeting, this issue will be held over for an Arbitration Hearing with Legal Council early in the New Year. In the mean time the Arbitrator warned the Union that this was to be a “Work Now Grieve Later” situation.
The Union has been made aware that some of the Halifax Members have been sent home for “Insubordination” for refusing to comply with the Company’s directive. The Company has also informed the Union that it will invoke its rights under Article 2 of the Collective Agreement to have Management perform whatever work it can perform, to try and prevent significant impact to its operation.
Jazz Tech Bargaining Committee,
John Murawesky, Jazz Tech Bargaining Committee Chair
Peter Brown, YYC Bargaining Rep
Ian Waite, YXU Bargaining Rep
Dave Gylland, YHZ Bargaining Rep
Ron Smith, CAW National Rep