CAW challenges ASP transfer notification

CAW challenges ASP transfer notification

July 12, 2013 at 4:56 PM

In a letter dated July 9, 2012, ASP notified employees that they were successful in securing the GTAA airport terminals security contracts for the following classifications: door patrol, ad-hoc and escorting services. The new contract takes effect August 16, 2013.
 
The letter concluded by thanking all ASP employees for their "support and continued dedication.”

On the same day (without any prior notification to the union), 31 employees in the airside classification were sent another letter, advising them that ASP was not successful in securing the GTAA airside contract and that their work was being transferred to Garda Security.

Wishing them "the very best in their future endeavours,” the company states that they "will work with the CAW and the GTAA to ensure that you receive information.”

The union was only made aware of the status of the GTAA contracts when alerted by an ASP member on July 10, 2013, the day after the letters were delivered to the employees.

CAW representatives met with company officials on July 11, 2013 raising concerns regarding the letter and the company’s blatant violations of the collective agreement.
 
The employer responded that they view the loss of the airside work as a transfer and that those affected employees would be transferred to Garda.  ASP did not produce anything in writing guaranteeing that all airside employees would, in fact, be transferred to Garda, not to mention retain their current wages and benefits.

It was agreed, with all of the uncertainty, that the shift bid that was scheduled to take place at the beginning of August would be postponed until September.

The CAW is extremely disappointed at the lack of communication from ASP, not to mention, the misleading information that ASP is sending to our members. Their actions are divisive, contradictory and no way to reward the "support and continued dedication” of hard-working, loyal, ASP employees.

The CAW represents all members of the bargaining unit equally and will do whatever is necessary to ensure that the language in the collective agreement is followed.
 
The CAW legal department has been consulted and the union has filed a policy grievance to protect the rights of those airside members who wish to remain within the employ of ASP. 

We will continue to keep you updated as this matter unfolds.


For more information please contact:  Ashley Watkins, CAW Local 2002 Executive Assistant East