June 3, 2011 at 6:00 PM
Company’s first offer
On June 2, 2011, your Air Canada bargaining committee received the first all encompassing offer, including economic and non economic items, from the company. This comprehensive package was riddled with concessions.
The bargaining committee is determined to get those concessions off the table.
Our goal is to reach an agreement without a dispute which we will aggressively pursue through ongoing discussions with the company.
Many questions
We are in a legal strike position at midnight on June 13. Many of you have questions regarding the status of your benefits, if we go out on strike. The bargaining committee has raised your concerns with Air Canada and also the National CAW and we are waiting for their response. We can however give you some information regarding vacations.
Vacation (including VPP)
For members asking about vacation days and/or vacation pay with regards to June 13 strike date:
The company has separated it into three components all of which include vacation being taken as scheduled:
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If you have started your vacation prior to June 13th; you will complete your vacation, then you will be removed from payroll. This means you will be paid as you normally are while on vacation.
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If your vacation starts and ends entirely during the strike period, you will take your vacation but receive vacation pay after your return to work.
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If your vacation starts during the strike but ends after the strike is over, you will only return to work after your final vacation day has elapsed. You will be returned to the payroll at the end of the strike. The portion of vacation days that were within the strike period will be paid out after your return to work...
IAMAW shows support
We would like to acknowledge the support of our brothers and sisters at IAMAW Transportation District 140. President and Directing General Chairperson of District 140, Chuck Atkinson has encouraged our brothers and sisters at IAMAW to support the CAW through these challenging times.
"CAW members will be in a strike or lock-out position as of 11:59 p.m. on June 13, 2011. Please remember to contact your manager if you feel that your safety may be at risk while crossing any picket line. It is his or her responsibility to ensure your safe passage into the workplace.
We encourage all IAMAW members to support their CAW Sisters and Brothers as much as possible throughout this difficult time.
Your support may take the form of volunteering your time to assist with picketing or other strike activities, or offering moral or monetary support to CAW members on the picket line.
REMEMBER: Respect is a two-way street. It’s the CAW members today and the IAMAW members tomorrow!"
[ To view the letter from the IAMAW please click here ]
All systems go!
Across the country, hundreds of CAW members and activists have been taking part in rallies for a fair deal, demonstrations for respect and on May 26, thousands participated in a co-ordinated "Day of Action," that sent shock waves through call centres across the entire system. The action continued on June 1 when hundreds of Local 2002 CAW members, retirees, Aeroplan members, Air Canada CUPE and IAMAW members, labour activists and prominent politicians marched in solidarity on Vancouver’s International Airport.
Everyone agrees: it is time for Air Canada to give its hard working employees a fair deal.
"We stand in support of our brothers and sisters at CAW. We appreciate the safe and secure travel provisions that Air Canada employees provide and do not want to see an erosion of services due to unfair bargaining practices by the Employer," Susan Spratt, CAW National Area Director for British Columbia and Alberta told the cheering crowd, reading a joint statement from Jack Layton, Leader of the NDP, Peter Julian MP Burnaby-New Westminster and Yvon Godin, NDP Labour Critic.
June 9 Mass Rally in YYZ
Mark your calendar: the next Air Canada mass rally will be held at Terminal 1, Pearson Airport in Toronto on Thursday, June 9, at 1 pm. We would like a huge show of support from our Local membership. The National has put out the call to CAW leadership and members in all industries in the Toronto area to show their support for Air Canada. Check the Local 2002 website for further updates details as they become available.
We can’t do it without you
The bargaining committee would like to thank you, the membership for your ongoing support during these negotiations. Solidarity is critical to our success. Air Canada must be in no doubt that you stand behind your bargaining committee.
During bargaining, as we sit across the table from the company, we are wearing our Fair Deal bracelets. Are you? When people ask us why we are wearing Fair Deal bracelets, we tell them. Do you? It’s your right to share your opinion and we encourage you to be vocal in a constructive way.
Be strong, be united. Be vocal about your Local!
In Solidarity,
Your Air Canada Bargaining Committee,
Paul Janssen, Western Region
Dave Hoskins, Pacific Region
Vicky Xekominos, Central Region
Sylvia Rothlin, Central Region
Marcel Rondeau, Eastern Region
Christa Chaplin, Atlantic Region
Jamie Ross, President
Leslie Dias, CAW National Representative
