November 10, 2008
STRIKE ALERT
Dear Member,
The bargaining team was hopeful that a return to the bargaining table November 6 and 7 would result in a tentative agreement. On November 6 we tabled a proposal that contained new compromises in an effort to reach a collective agreement.
CPC responded with a third offer that was virtually unchanged from their October 30 proposals.
On Job Security – article 28.01, CPC again confirmed that they are not prepared to continue the past practice whereby all current employees receive full job security at the date of contract signing. This refusal leaves anyone with less than 5 years of service with no surplus protection and even more vulnerable to layoffs.
As an afterthought, the union was offered the opportunity to participate “collaboratively” in a new national joint committee “…to promote a good understanding by employees of all of the components of the Short Term disability Program, thus ensuring a smooth transition effective January 1, 2010.” No other changes on this item were proposed.
We already have a “good understanding” of this sick leave scheme. It appears to be nothing more than a thinly disguised attendance management program. Pooling Family Related Leave with Sick Leave, reducing the current 20 days down to 7 days, and then handing the policing of this scheme to third parties like Manulife without the right to grieve their decisions makes it difficult to draw any other conclusion.
On the matter of wages, CPC offered wage increases of 2.25% for each of the first two years and 2.50% for each of the second two years.
Your team considered CPC's last proposals very carefully. We unanimously came to the conclusion that we could not in good conscience agree or recommend this to you. After close to 30 days of negotiations and despite our best efforts, CPC did not appear to be ready to either withdraw, make any significant change to their sick leave scheme, or renew the job security clause as it has always done.
We chose to break off negotiations. The bargaining team remains ready to return to the table any time the Corporation signals they are prepared to make meaningful change.
So what's next?
Take part in any activities that your local organizes to show support for your demands. You are encouraged to check the web site regularly and stay in touch with your local strike captain over the coming days for any new developments.
Date Modified : 2010/07/29
