September 14, 2012 at 4:31 PM
The Jazz CSA/ACS collective agreement expires on January 2013 and in preparation for negotiations, the bargaining committee met in Toronto on September 12, 2012 to tabulate hundreds of surveys submitted. The results were prioritized and then communicated in detail with district chairpersons at a leadership meeting the following day.
Following the discussions, the leadership overwhelmingly voted in favour to support the bargaining committee’s mandate going forward into negotiations.
The process of bargaining can be an intense and often confusing enterprise for the membership. In preparation for up and coming proposal meetings executive assistant Ashley Watkins discussed timelines, steps and the elements of collective bargaining with leadership.
A strong leadership that has the courage of its convictions and a mobilized membership give the bargaining committee its’ wings says Sean Smith. "The stronger we are going into negotiations, the stronger the committee is at the table.”
National Staff Representative Joel Fournier discussed current challenges in the airline industry and stressed the importance of an informed and united membership in this round of bargaining.
Along with "Fair Deal” bracelets for all members and a booklet for distribution describing the process of collective bargaining, district chairpersons took with them a renewed confidence in their bargaining committee, the negotiation process and their union.
"The local is committed to giving you 100% support in these negotiations,” said President Jamie Ross. "And 10,000 members of Local 2002 are with you in solidarity every step of the way.”
**Proposal meetings will be held at 49 Jazz CSA/ACS bases across Canada from September 17 to October 4, 2012.