August 3, 2012 at 2:55 PM
On July 31, 2012, the leadership of Jazz Customer and Aircraft Services (CSA/ACS) gathered in Toronto to prepare and strategize for the next round of collective bargaining.
CAW President Ken Lewenza thanked the leadership who represent 50 bases across Canada, for their dedication to their membership, offering frank insights into current conditions in the transportation sector. "Make no mistake; this industry, the economic health of our communities and the livelihood of our members are under attack; we must be proactive and build alliances," he said.
Assistant to the president Bob Orr and national representatives Joel Fournier and Cara Macdonald discussed the negotiation process as it applies to Jazz CSA/ACS: transportation industry trends, membership expectations, time lines for bargaining under the Canada Labour Code and pensions and benefits in the current contract.
In the afternoon, CAW local 414 communication coordinator Kellie Scanlan led the group through an empowering workshop, promoting membership communication and mobilization. "We need to recognize and utilize our individual and collective strengths on a day to day basis," she said. "Consistency creates the best conditions for solidarity and success."
Bargaining representatives from Jazz CSA and ACS were on hand to answer questions and distribute surveys and bargaining kits to every district in their region. The surveys are available online and in the workplace and must be submitted by August 24, 2012.
"We strongly encourage all of our members to participate," commented bargaining committee chairperson Shirley Anderson Mio. "We want Jazz members to tell us what is important to them so that we can best represent them at the bargaining table."
The results of the surveys will be communicated at proposal meetings across the country in October.
"The union recognizes that the membership of Jazz work extremely hard in challenging conditions," said Local 2002 President Jamie Ross. "It was inspiring to watch the leadership and bargaining committee of Jazz stand united as they prepare to make progress in this round of negotiations."
The current collective agreement for over 1200 Jazz customer and aircraft service agents expires in January 2013.
Click here to view Bargaining Dialogue - Issue 1