May 27, 2011 at 12:45 PM
After receiving a commanding 98.25% strike mandate from Air Canada members across the system last Friday, your Air Canada Bargaining Committee returned to the bargaining table on Tuesday, May 24 2011.
The federally appointed conciliator Carol A. Wall submitted a report to the Minster of Labour on May 23, 2011 pursuant to Section 75(2) of the Canada Labour Code (Part I – Industrial Relations) indicating that as the parties have not agreed to an extension of the time period for conciliation, the conciliation process has ended.
The twenty-one day cooling off period, otherwise known as mediation, is now scheduled to take place from May 24 to June 13 at which time we will be in a legal strike position.
There has been no movement on key issues that have been communicated to the membership, including:
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Pension cuts
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Separate/new classifications in: call centres, customer journey management (DCC), new airport classifications including concierge and special services agents handling wheelchairs, kiosks and lines
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The elimination of Jazz handling
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Elimination of the Retirement Phase-in Program
This at a time when Air Canada’s CEO Calin Rovinescu is collecting millions in compensation and on top of his salary he has accrued a massive defined benefit pension and is entitled to retire when he has 25 years of service or factor 80.
While movement seems to have stagnated at the bargaining table, talks are heating up amongst our members from coast to coast! Yesterday, Air Canada members, frustrated with working conditions and the slow pace of talks, rallied and took a stand in call centres in a united show of solidarity right across the country.
The membership have committed to continuing demonstrations until advances are made.
Ten years is a long time to wait for progress and our membership have shown that they are ready to fight for a fair deal.
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