June 17, 2022 at 3:15 PM
To: Strategic Aviation Services members at Halifax Stanfield International Airport
All Unifor members work under the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement negotiated with their employer. These agreements are usually in effect for a multi-year term and cover a wide range of work-related issues, including (but not limited to) wages, hours of work, benefits, overtime, health & safety, etc. This is all accomplished to create an improved work-life balance for you – the membership.
On April 21, 2022, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (“CIRB”) formally granted the application to Unifor to represent those employees of Strategic Aviation Services, Ltd working in the following job classifications at Halifax Stanfield International Airport:
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ground service agent(s) (GSA)
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lead ground service agent(s)
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cabin cleaning agent(s) (groomers)
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lead cabin cleaning agent(s)
On May 25, 2022, Unifor held informal meetings with Darlene MacIvor – Unifor National Representative, Patrick Murray – Unifor Organizing Department, Martin Melanson – Unifor Local 2002 Vice President, and Denise Cochrane – Assistant to the Unifor Local 2002 President. This was an opportunity for the membership to meet the leadership from Unifor and its Local 2002. This forum also gave members an opportunity to ask any questions and raise any workplace-related concerns, as well as discuss the Company’s request to continue with an averaging agreement that was previously in place prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ABOUT THE BARGAINING PROCESS
The parties – Unifor (“the union”) and Strategic Aviation Services (“the company”) will begin negotiations with the intent of reaching a “tentative agreement” in good faith.
When a tentative agreement is reached, your Unifor Bargaining Committee will present the tentative agreement to the membership for ratification (i.e. vote). The membership will vote on whether to accept the tentative agreement or to reject it.
If members vote “yes” the tentative agreement becomes the new ratified collective bargaining agreement (i.e. “contract”). The new collective agreement is printed and distributed to the membership. This is what happens approximately 98% of the time with Unifor negotiations.
NEXT STEPS
In July, your Bargaining Committee, along with members of the Local 2002 leadership team, will meet in Halifax with Unifor National representative, Darlene MacIvor to review recently completed membership surveys. The Committee will also finalize bargaining proposals.
Dates have been secured for August 2-5, 2022 in Halifax to open in-person bargaining with the employer. During this initial session, the parties are expected to exchange bargaining proposals.
It is important to understand that to maintain the integrity of the collective bargaining process, specific details cannot be disclosed to the general membership during active negotiations. Unifor Local 2002 will provide regular updates on how negotiations are proceeding, and will provide details pertaining to additional meeting dates (if/when required).
STAYING INFORMED
At key times during negotiations, your Bargaining Committee will send important updates to you via e-mail, and will also post relevant content on the Unifor Local 2002 website – unifor2002.org. To subscribe to e-news, please click the following link.
note: we ask that you provide a personal email address. E-news content sent to a company email address may be denied by the receiving server.
ABOUT UNIFOR
Unifor is Canada’s largest private sector union, with more than 315,000 members across the country, working in every major sector of the Canadian economy. Unifor strives to protect the economic rights of our members and every member of the workforce (employed or unemployed). We are committed to building the strongest and most effective union, and bargain on behalf of our members; working with our members to improve their rights in the workplace, and extending the benefits of unions to non-unionized workers and other interested Canadians.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to working alongside you, and representing your interests at the negotiating table.
Your Unifor Bargaining Committee consists of Paul Corkum, Jeremy MacDonald, and Alternate Bargaining Committee member, Ben Curtis. Your elected bargaining committee is your voice at the bargaining table, but their strength comes from the power of the membership standing with them.
In Solidarity,
Your Unifor Bargaining Team
Paul Corkum - Bargaining Committee Representative
Jeremy MacDonald - Bargaining Committee Representative
Ben Curtis - Alternate Bargaining Committee Representative
Tammy Moore – President, Unifor Local 2002
Martin Melanson – Vice President, Unifor Local 2002
Denise Cochrane – Assistant to the Unifor Local 2002 President
Darlene MacIvor – Unifor National Representative
Patrick Murray – Unifor Organization Department
For more information, please contact: Denise Cochrane, Assistant to the Local President
22-06-17 Strategic Aviation Services Welcome EN.txt