Pascan District 430 Update

Pascan District 430 Update

February 19, 2016 at 7:00 PM

To: All Unifor members at Pascan Aviation

Sisters and Brothers,

It has now been more than a year since we began negotiations with the goal of signing a first collective agreement with Pascan Aviation. With the support of the bargaining committee members, Unifor has put forth a lot of effort and energy to arrive at a first collective agreement.

Since our first meeting February 13, 2015, the employer has shown no interest in bargaining, offered very little availability and cancelled numerous meetings, to the point where the union filed for conciliation with the Federal government to force Pascan Aviation to sit at the bargaining table.

Since the beginning of conciliation on June 22, 2015, and to date, the union bargained in good faith. During the last bargaining session on February 12th, with lots of perseverance, we were able to reach an agreement on almost all the non-monetary items of a first collective agreement, despite the fact that the employer was very reluctant to agree to the bargaining dates that we proposed. What’s more, certain meetings already scheduled were cancelled at the last minute by the employer. Just as they cancelled today’s meeting, when Pascan was supposed to respond to the monetary items submitted by the union.

Coincidentally, following the cancellation of today’s meeting, a Pascan employee began a campaign called “remove the union,” telling you that without Unifor things would be easier and that you can change your mind due to a lack of co-operation from the employer. Considering the flagrant lack of co-operation and bad faith of the employer throughout the negotiation process, why would it be in your best interests to decertify the union? This would only serve the interests of the employer, not yours, since the employer shows no intention of changing their ways.

We also know that the employer spread the rumour that they cannot get out of their current situation as long as the union is present. Unifor guarantees that the interests of everyone are our priority. It’s in the best interests of the union AND our members that the employer continues its operations in order to maintain all jobs.

The union and the members of the bargaining committee will not object to any proposals that benefit our members. In fact, that’s what we are attempting to do: benefit the members. Besides, ultimately you must make a decision based on the whole of the collective agreement by voting at the ratification meeting. You will have the last word.

We have a duty to ensure that the negotiated collective agreement is beneficial for everyone, and not just favourable for a few individuals.

We ask you to trust Unifor and the members of the bargaining committee, and allow us to continue bargaining. Don’t sign the “remove the union” petition, because Unifor assures you that the collective interest will be protected, not just the advantages and personal advancement of certain individuals.

In solidarity,

Your bargaining committee

Éric Duquette
François-Gabriel Lupien
Josée Genois, Assistant to the Local President
Marcel Rondeau, Unifor National Representative