February 13, 2009 at 12:00 AM
In response to our letter issued to Aeroplan on January 30th, 2009, a
meeting was held on Monday, February 9, 2009 between Aeroplan, Air Canada and
the Union.
The Union outlined its position that no one should have to make a commitment
as to which employer (Air Canada or Aeroplan) they wish to work for until the
end of the collective agreement and until Aeroplan holds a separate bargaining
certificate. Until that happens, the employer is still Air Canada and Aeroplan
does not have the right to bargain directly with the members.
The union
reiterated the need for an improved travel pass program and that a transition
period was in the best interests of the company as well as the
members.
The meeting concluded with a commitment that the legal teams of
the CAW and Aeroplan would discuss the number of complex issues that were
raised. Subsequently, there have been initial discussions between the lawyers.
We will be scheduling further meetings in the near future.
We are
directing our members to not fill out the company requested commitment forms
until they are given further instructions by the CAW.
We will continue
to keep you informed.
In Solidarity,
Your Bargaining
Committee,
Leslie Dias, President
Paul Janssen, Western Region,
Sandi
McManus, Pacific Region
Sylvia Rothlin-Vink, Central Region
Marcel
Rondeau, Eastern Region
Christa Chaplin, Atlantic Region