Unifor files for conciliation for negotiations with Toronto Terminals Railway
May 1, 2016
Unifor has filed for conciliation for its negotiations with Toronto Terminals Railway (TTR) following the parties' bargaining sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 19 and 20 in Toronto.
As we previously reported on April 19, the Union faces some significant challenges this round of contract negotiations given the concessionary demands that are on the table by the employer.
"I can't fathom us turning the clock back to a time before the Industrial Relations and Disputes Investigation Act of 1948, which pre-dates today's Canada Labour Code", explained Barry Kennedy, President of Unifor National Council 4000. "The demands from TTR is essentially turning almost every flagging position at TTR into a spare board type position, where our members' work schedule can be changed at any moment based on perceived operational demands. How could we even ratify a settlement like that", explains Kennedy. The Company also wants the ability to turn the standard 8 hour shift, something that Unions fought hard for over 60 years ago, into 12 hour shifts. The Union's bargaining committee said that they would be open to discussing the establishment of some 12 hour shifts, as some members do like them in light of longer rest days, but not every shift. Not all workers wish to work more than 8 hour work days, or can gandle the additional 4 hours each shift.
A Conciliator has not yet been appointed, but once done, the parties' will look to scheduling dates to continue negotiations.
As we previously reported on April 19, the Union faces some significant challenges this round of contract negotiations given the concessionary demands that are on the table by the employer.
"I can't fathom us turning the clock back to a time before the Industrial Relations and Disputes Investigation Act of 1948, which pre-dates today's Canada Labour Code", explained Barry Kennedy, President of Unifor National Council 4000. "The demands from TTR is essentially turning almost every flagging position at TTR into a spare board type position, where our members' work schedule can be changed at any moment based on perceived operational demands. How could we even ratify a settlement like that", explains Kennedy. The Company also wants the ability to turn the standard 8 hour shift, something that Unions fought hard for over 60 years ago, into 12 hour shifts. The Union's bargaining committee said that they would be open to discussing the establishment of some 12 hour shifts, as some members do like them in light of longer rest days, but not every shift. Not all workers wish to work more than 8 hour work days, or can gandle the additional 4 hours each shift.
A Conciliator has not yet been appointed, but once done, the parties' will look to scheduling dates to continue negotiations.
Follow Unifor Council 4000 - Toronto Terminals Railway Bargaining by accessing our Bargaining Updates Page by clicking here.
You may also follow our negotiations on Twitter using the hash tag: #Unifor4000TTRnegs.
You may also follow our negotiations on Twitter using the hash tag: #Unifor4000TTRnegs.
