October 4, 2011 at 4:00 PM
Although WEBB’s current collective agreement does not expire until March 31, 2012, the bargaining committee has had several meetings with the company in an attempt to bargain an early agreement. The goal of the committee was to provide stability in order to obtain a three year extension to the current WEBB contract with the GTAA.
Unfortunately, before we could conclude an agreement with WEBB, GTAA advised WEBB that they have put out an RFP (Request for Proposal). This means that other companies who provide maintenance, repair modification, rebuilding and installation of equipment for baggage handling systems will be competing against WEBB for the work currently performed at the GTAA. Bid proposals have to be submitted by October 27, 2011.
While the union can control what is bargained with the employer, we cannot control who the GTAA awards the contract to. The current maintenance agreement between the GTAA and WEBB has been extended by three months and will expire on March 31, 2012.
The RFP bidding process is lengthy and complicated and it will be some time before the GTAA will announce their decision. We know that this is an anxious time for our members and we will keep you informed as the process unfolds. A membership meeting will be held shortly, specific details will be released as soon as they are finalized.
In solidarity,
Your WEBB bargaining committee,
Chuck Doyle
Derek Day
Mike Dyl
Leslie Dias, National Staff Representative
Ashley Watkins, Executive Assistant East