Unifor files Conciliation Request in VIA Rail Negotiations
March 18, 2016
The national VIA agreements #1, #2 (Council 4000) and #3 (Local 100) expired on December 31, 2015. Since the official opening on October 30, 2015, the bargaining committees have had a number of week-long bargaining sessions with the respective company representatives. Discussions have been focused primarily with the work rule changes and active grievances in the system.
Since the last bargaining sessions in late February (Council 4000) and this week (Local 100), your elected bargaining committees in consultation with Unifor President Jerry Dias’s office, have concluded that in order to move the process along, the time has come to file our request for conciliation.
The Federal Conciliation process is a legal requirement that we must adhere to prior to setting a deadline. Our desire always is to reach a negotiated settlement without a dispute, and setting of a deadline that coincides with the best timing possible is an important element of the bargaining process. This is no different an approach than we have taken in prior rounds of bargaining.
While this starts the process as outlined under the Canada Labour Code provisions, the union remains available to continue negotiations with VIA Rail.
The chart below outlines the schedule that will be followed through the conciliation process up to the setting of a deadline.
Since the last bargaining sessions in late February (Council 4000) and this week (Local 100), your elected bargaining committees in consultation with Unifor President Jerry Dias’s office, have concluded that in order to move the process along, the time has come to file our request for conciliation.
The Federal Conciliation process is a legal requirement that we must adhere to prior to setting a deadline. Our desire always is to reach a negotiated settlement without a dispute, and setting of a deadline that coincides with the best timing possible is an important element of the bargaining process. This is no different an approach than we have taken in prior rounds of bargaining.
While this starts the process as outlined under the Canada Labour Code provisions, the union remains available to continue negotiations with VIA Rail.
The chart below outlines the schedule that will be followed through the conciliation process up to the setting of a deadline.
As stated previously there are key issues within the non-monetary items that must be resolved during this round of bargaining. We have been adamant with the employer that Unifor has absolutely no intention of rolling back our hard earned gains over the past number of years. VIA Rail remains steadfast on their concessionary demands and we have yet to see any indications of the scope of their economic demands on the union.
Your committees are presently making preparations for membership information meetings and strike votes which will be conducted across the country in the near future. Dates and locations will follow. This strike vote is an important part of the process which will clearly indicate to the corporation that the bargaining committee has the full support of the membership in its endeavour to achieve a fair and equitable settlement on behalf of the 2,500 members at VIA Rail Canada.
We remind our members not to listen to rumours or innuendoes and should questions arise, members should contact their National Union Representative, Local or National Council President.
Your committees are presently making preparations for membership information meetings and strike votes which will be conducted across the country in the near future. Dates and locations will follow. This strike vote is an important part of the process which will clearly indicate to the corporation that the bargaining committee has the full support of the membership in its endeavour to achieve a fair and equitable settlement on behalf of the 2,500 members at VIA Rail Canada.
We remind our members not to listen to rumours or innuendoes and should questions arise, members should contact their National Union Representative, Local or National Council President.
Click to download and post this story (PDF) - Unifor RailLINE version
Follow Unifor Council 4000 - VIA Rail Bargaining by accessing our Bargaining Updates Page by clicking here.
You may also follow our negotiations on Twitter using the hash tag: #Unifor4000VIAnegs.
Follow Unifor Council 4000 - VIA Rail Bargaining by accessing our Bargaining Updates Page by clicking here.
You may also follow our negotiations on Twitter using the hash tag: #Unifor4000VIAnegs.
