February 12, 2013 at 1:25 PM
The purpose of the previous bulletin was to inform the Jazz CSA/ACS membership of the aggressive concessions that the company has tabled. Since bargaining commenced in October 2012, the committee has been able to agree on a large number of non-monetary and minor monetary issues. However, the company insists that if they are to agree to any of the membership’s monetary proposals, we must accept some or all of their concessions such as:
• Contracting out of all below the wing
• Contracting out of CSA’s at a number of small bases
• Re- introduce "B” scale for new hires, and employees on the existing scale up to 3rd year to transition to the new scale
• Flat line weeks of vacation
Your bargaining committee has made a unanimous decision: we are not going to agree to any of the far-reaching concessions the employer has tabled.
We are not prepared to risk the gains that we have fought long and hard for in our collective agreement. The intervention of the Harper government through the federal conciliation process is a recipe for disaster. Jazz made it clear that they were not going to let talks drag on and if an agreement was not reached, they would file for conciliation under the Canada Labour Code with Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services (FMCS).
As a result of the company’s position, we were left with two options: to enter into the FMCS system or, find an alternative dispute mechanism. We are not about to go down the road of being legislated into arbitration. This has occurred five times in the past two years with other unions and in every instance, with government intervention, the arbitrator has sided with the employer. We do not want a final offer selection forced upon us. ACPA pilots had a tentative agreement that was ripped apart by an arbitrator; CUPW postal workers were ordered to receive less pay than was originally on the bargaining table. Currently, Ontario teachers are embroiled in a battle for democratic fairness in negotiations.
The message is clear to all unions; keep the government out of bargaining!
Therefore, the union and the company have agreed to enter into a mediation/arbitration process with Tom Hodges, an experienced federal mediator/arbitrator. Hodges will assist the parties to try to reach a negotiated settlement at hearings scheduled March 26, 27 and 28, 2013. In the event that an agreement cannot be reached, the arbitrator has the ability to order a final and binding settlement.
Stay strong and stay united!
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