Jazz CSA/ACS Mediation/Arbitration moves to final stage

Jazz CSA/ACS Mediation/Arbitration moves to final stage

April 1, 2013 at 10:19 AM
Having agreed previously to enter into a mediation/arbitration process, the union and the company met with Tom Hodges, an experienced federal /arbitrator on March 26 and 27, 2013 in Toronto.

The bargaining committee was determined to resolve all outstanding issues such as job security, contracting out, cross utilization, vacation entitlements and wages in order to finalize the agreement. Unfortunately, two days of going back and forth with the employer in front of the arbitrator resulted in an unsuccessful outcome.

This was extremely disappointing and frustrating for the bargaining committee. The company continues to state that it is preparing for the questionable outcome of 2020 when the current Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) expires. Increasing the purse of the company seven years in advance is beyond being prudent.  Jazz has guaranteed profits through the CPA; their proposed attacks on our collective agreement are unnecessary and greedy.

Now that talks have broken down, the parties will shift to a formal arbitration process and will continue only through the exchange of documents.

The next steps are as follows:

•    April 5 - The company will be providing relevant data to the union as well as the arbitrator
•    April 19 - The CAW will provide their brief and relevant case law
•    May 3 - The company will then provide a final brief
•    May 10 - The union has seven days to respond with final reply

Arbitrator Hodges will move to the process of issuing an award which will be final and binding. This can take an undetermined amount of time to accomplish. The bargaining committee will continue to keep the membership informed of any new information as it arises.

In solidarity,

Your Jazz CSA/ACS bargaining committee:

Shirley Anderson-Mio, Chairperson
Huw Callard
Josée Genois
Lee Kempster
Robert Pomanti
Matthew Sackville
Ken White
Ashley Watkins, Executive Assistant
Jamie Ross, Local 2002 President
Joel Fournier, National Representative