CN, CNTL and Savage Alberta Railway Bargaining Update
January 14, 2015
As reported in a previous RailLine, the Master Bargaining Committees for Unifor National Council 4000 and Local 100, in consultation with Unifor National President Jerry Dias and Assistant to Unifor President Bob Orr, adjourned contract negotiations on December 18, 2014 when it became clear that several stumbling blocks on non-economic issues were preventing the talks from moving forward towards a tentative collective agreement.
Unifor President Jerry Dias who joined the bargaining committees in December noted that, “There is frustration on the part of all of the bargaining committees that CN has refused to address the issues necessary that would help move discussions along”.
At this point in time, CN has not tabled any type of economic offer and the union is not prepared to entertain one, considering the number of outstanding issues and concessions the company still has on the table.
We remind our members that it was CN who filed their Notice of Dispute in October 2014, seeking the appointment of a conciliation officer. This action by CN Rail has set contract negotiations on a track where a labour disruption could occur as early as February 15, 2015.
The company and union have since spoken with the assigned Federal Conciliation officers who have been overseeing all Unifor/CN bargaining tables. We are looking towards scheduling meetings for the resumption of negotiations and we intend to have direct dialogue with CN officials early next week for that very purpose.
While we are desirous of reaching tentative agreements for all five Unifor Collective Agreements which meets the needs of our members, without a labour disruption, however if a strike vote is needed to reinforce our position with the corporation, we will take the time we need to schedule and meet with our members in the coming weeks and obtain your support.
We urge our members not to listen to rumours or innuendoes and should questions arise, members should contact their National Union Representative, Local President or respective Regionl Representative.
Unifor President Jerry Dias who joined the bargaining committees in December noted that, “There is frustration on the part of all of the bargaining committees that CN has refused to address the issues necessary that would help move discussions along”.
At this point in time, CN has not tabled any type of economic offer and the union is not prepared to entertain one, considering the number of outstanding issues and concessions the company still has on the table.
We remind our members that it was CN who filed their Notice of Dispute in October 2014, seeking the appointment of a conciliation officer. This action by CN Rail has set contract negotiations on a track where a labour disruption could occur as early as February 15, 2015.
The company and union have since spoken with the assigned Federal Conciliation officers who have been overseeing all Unifor/CN bargaining tables. We are looking towards scheduling meetings for the resumption of negotiations and we intend to have direct dialogue with CN officials early next week for that very purpose.
While we are desirous of reaching tentative agreements for all five Unifor Collective Agreements which meets the needs of our members, without a labour disruption, however if a strike vote is needed to reinforce our position with the corporation, we will take the time we need to schedule and meet with our members in the coming weeks and obtain your support.
We urge our members not to listen to rumours or innuendoes and should questions arise, members should contact their National Union Representative, Local President or respective Regionl Representative.
