ASP bargaining committee demands fair deal

July 28, 2011 at 9:14 AM
Your bargaining committee resumed negotiations with the company and met on several dates in July.  Representing ASP at the bargaining table were CEO Dean Lovric and President Tim Thomas. Overseeing the procedures was federally appointed conciliator Paul MacDonnell.

For the second time in this process, the committee presented the proposals that the membership had put forward. Issues that were previously ignored by the company and your former union, such as breaks for employees working 12 hour shifts, regular scheduled work weeks for full time, part time hours, overtime after 40 hours, seniority, shifts longer than 8 hours to be agreed to with the union and bullying and harassment issues all needed to be addressed.

Discussing non-monetary items is the first part of the bargaining process and that is where the committee expected to find some common ground with the company. Unfortunately, ASP responded with very little improvements in any of these areas.

On the third day of bargaining the employer was to present its monetary offer. The committee was shocked when ASP tabled further concessions, denying employees’ improvements such as increased wages and sick time, improved medical and dental benefits, breaks for 12 hour shifts, premiums for working outside and on weekends and time off.

CEO Dean Lovric stated that he had never had these kinds of expectations in bargaining before and accused the bargaining committee of neither understanding nor having the support of the membership.

The union told the company that improving wages that are barely above minimum rate and improving working conditions are not unreasonable expectations. The CAW, with the full support of the membership, will make every reasonable effort to have the expectations of the membership met.

In order to explore all of the options available to us, the committee has decided to step back from negotiations in order to seek further direction from the membership.  We will schedule membership meetings that can be best attended by the majority of the membership and advise of dates as soon as they are confirmed.

The bargaining committee is committed to bringing the membership of ASP the Fair Deal that it deserves and keeping you informed throughout this process.


In Solidarity,

Your ASP Bargaining Committee
Gopal Baghel
Savithri Alahari
Jesse Jackson
Patrick Williams
Joel Fournier, National Representative
Ashley Watkins, Executive Assistant - East