Jervis B Webb members vote to strike if necessary

Jervis B Webb members vote to strike if necessary

November 18, 2016 at 12:30 PM

  

On November 17, members at Jervis B. Webb turned out in large numbers to listen to their bargaining committee and to participate in a strike vote.

The membership unanimously supported the committee’s recommendation to the question, "Are you in favor of strike action, if necessary, in order to support our demands for a just and equitable contract settlement?"

Members voted 100 per cent in favour of strike action.

Unifor Local 2002 represents over 100 members at Jervis B. Webb Airport Services who are responsible for the operations and maintenance of the baggage belt systems in terminal one at Toronto’s Pearson airport. Their current collective agreement expired in April, 2016.

During the previous round of collective bargaining the company came to the union for concessions; they wanted to cut costs and introduce flexible work rules that allowed them to be competitive in their proposal to the GTAA. The union ratified an agreement that provided Webb with the flexibility needed to react to the GTAA's requirements.

Members of District 370 deserve fairness and respect.

"Our members provide an invaluable service with pride and efficiency," says Local 2002 President Cheryl Robinson. "Their message is loud and clear – they deserve fairness and respect and they will not accept any form of concessions in this round of bargaining."

The District 370 bargaining committee began preparing for collective bargaining in October 2015. The committee developed and distributed surveys and held proposal meetings and received good participation and feedback. Bargaining with the employer began on March 1, 2016.

Conciliation was filed for at the end of July and on August 18, Kim Beemer was appointed as Conciliation Officer/Mediator to Unifor and Jervis B. Webb. On November 3, the parties were at a grid lock on a particular item whereby the company wanted to claw back on an issue that would have been detrimental to our members.

The bargaining committee would like to thank the membership for their unwavering support throughout these negotiations.

The next meeting with the company and conciliator is scheduled for Monday, November 21. The committee will continue to keep you updated.

  

In solidarity,

Your Unifor District 370 Bargaining Committee:
Chuck Doyle, Chairperson
Graham Jardine
Kevin Richards
Ashley Watkins, Assistant to the Local President
Cheryl Robinson, Local 2002 President
Gary Ellis, Unifor National Representative

  

  

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

  

  

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