Unifor Council 4000 VIA Rail Bargaining Update
November 20, 2015
Unifor Council 4000 began bargaining with VIA Rail Canada on Monday, November 9 in Montreal. Bargaining committee members at this session were Ron Shore (Mountain Region); Dave Kissack (Prairie Region); Andrew Stephen (Great Lakes Region); Mario Laroche (St. Lawrence Region) and Jennifer Murray (Atlantic Region); as well as Unifor National Representatives Bob Fitzgerald and Myriam Germain. The negotiations are being led by Council 4000 Secretary Treasurer Danny Andru on behalf of our members in VIA Rail Agreements 1 and 2.
The Corporation has presented numerous concessionary demands, including removing the Job Security benefits from so-called “seasonal” employees and decreasing the amount of time allowed under Article 13 of both collective agreements to assume new positions from 10 days to 48 hours; giving the Corporation the ability to fill vacant assignments for much smaller portions of an ORS in Agreement 2; and significantly increasing the probationary and lock-in periods for new employees in Agreement 1, among others.
The Union has presented demands that would improve the lives of our members, including wage increases; benefit improvements; sick days; changes to part-time rules for Agreement 1; upgraded rest and held time conditions for Agreement 2, among others. We have also presented numerous work rule changes that would cost the Corporation nothing to implement. Small changes like these can often have a large effect on the lives of our members, and are usually a good way to build goodwill between the parties at the outset of a negotiation. However, as of this early stage in the process, the employer has not been willing to meet any of our demands.
The Union has tabled a demand that would make it more difficult for the Corporation to discipline our members under the Attendance Management Program, which was discussed at length. The bargaining team reminded the Corporation that the original intent of this program was to address employees with significant unavoidable absenteeism, not those employees who are very close to the target, nor those who are sick or injured. The Union made it clear to the Corporation that the credibility of the entire program is undermined if the ongoing abuse is not addressed. Your bargaining team was assured that the Corporation would take this matter seriously, however as expected, the employer has not backed down from its current position.
Even though nothing has been agreed to at this early stage, the bargaining team is confident that we will be able to come to a negotiated settlement with VIA Rail. In order to do so, however, your bargaining team will need the support and solidarity of the membership as we go through the negotiations process. If you have any questions about the bargaining process or how to make your voice heard, speak to your Regional Representative, your local Union representative, or visit www.unifor4000.com.
The Council 4000 Bargaining Committee heads back to the bargaining table next week, while Local 100 will start bargaining with VIA on Agreement 3 matters the week of December 7th in Montreal.
In solidarity,
Andrew Stephen
Regional Representative
Unifor National Council 4000
The Corporation has presented numerous concessionary demands, including removing the Job Security benefits from so-called “seasonal” employees and decreasing the amount of time allowed under Article 13 of both collective agreements to assume new positions from 10 days to 48 hours; giving the Corporation the ability to fill vacant assignments for much smaller portions of an ORS in Agreement 2; and significantly increasing the probationary and lock-in periods for new employees in Agreement 1, among others.
The Union has presented demands that would improve the lives of our members, including wage increases; benefit improvements; sick days; changes to part-time rules for Agreement 1; upgraded rest and held time conditions for Agreement 2, among others. We have also presented numerous work rule changes that would cost the Corporation nothing to implement. Small changes like these can often have a large effect on the lives of our members, and are usually a good way to build goodwill between the parties at the outset of a negotiation. However, as of this early stage in the process, the employer has not been willing to meet any of our demands.
The Union has tabled a demand that would make it more difficult for the Corporation to discipline our members under the Attendance Management Program, which was discussed at length. The bargaining team reminded the Corporation that the original intent of this program was to address employees with significant unavoidable absenteeism, not those employees who are very close to the target, nor those who are sick or injured. The Union made it clear to the Corporation that the credibility of the entire program is undermined if the ongoing abuse is not addressed. Your bargaining team was assured that the Corporation would take this matter seriously, however as expected, the employer has not backed down from its current position.
Even though nothing has been agreed to at this early stage, the bargaining team is confident that we will be able to come to a negotiated settlement with VIA Rail. In order to do so, however, your bargaining team will need the support and solidarity of the membership as we go through the negotiations process. If you have any questions about the bargaining process or how to make your voice heard, speak to your Regional Representative, your local Union representative, or visit www.unifor4000.com.
The Council 4000 Bargaining Committee heads back to the bargaining table next week, while Local 100 will start bargaining with VIA on Agreement 3 matters the week of December 7th in Montreal.
In solidarity,
Andrew Stephen
Regional Representative
Unifor National Council 4000
You may also follow Unifor Council 4000 VIA Rail Bargaining on Twitter using the hash tag - #Unifor4000VIAnegs.
Related:
November 8, 2015 Unifor Council 4000 to commence negotiations with VIA Rail week of November 9
October 29, 2015 Unifor to officially open negotiations with VIA Rail tomorrow in Montreal
October 28, 2015 Results of the Unifor Council 4000 VIA Rail Bargaining Survey
Related:
November 8, 2015 Unifor Council 4000 to commence negotiations with VIA Rail week of November 9
October 29, 2015 Unifor to officially open negotiations with VIA Rail tomorrow in Montreal
October 28, 2015 Results of the Unifor Council 4000 VIA Rail Bargaining Survey
