Good Afternoon Members,
The Committee has been busy the last eight days working through the stacks of surveys, collective language and putting plans together to formalize the proposals this round of negotiations. It's a tremendous amount of work, as we have over 50 years of history that forms the back drop of the CBA. We were also joined by District 3 Director, Steve Hunt, again today. We had planned to meet with Vince Ready tomorrow, May 7th, as he was acting as a facilitator under Article 3.07, our contracting out language. Unfortunately, we have had to delay until May 26th/27th as Vince has personal issues to attend to. As a committee, we went over the long history of Article 3.07. For some, like Corey, Jeff and myself, it's been a major part of the challenges we have faced over the last 9-10 years. For the rest of the committee, it was a history lesson of what the language means, how it works and how it has paid off since 1989. The discussion led to some very good questions about process, reasoning and how we got here. Plainly put, the Company made us aware years ago that they "didn't like the language", that "it gives the Union to many rights" and "we are willing to deny every grievance and do what ever we want anyways." It seems this approach has finally caught up to them again. The first time, we won a $500,000 dollar settlement for the violation of 78 contracting out grievances, and prior to that, we had won every single contracting out arbitration since inception. All total, that's 88 / 0. Pretty good record, yet they still continued to violate continuously. It's one of, if not the most, important pieces that protects our jobs from contractors, protects our jobs during a layoff and creates more jobs if the language is applied properly. We have recaptured shovel bucket repairs, box liners, hydro vac, machined parts, and many more tasks, along with countless major projects. We have continued to build our own fleet of haul trucks and do major shutdowns in the mill and mines, all with our own employees. Not many places in industry does this happen, but here, it's due to the language we had fought for in 1989. It's the one big hiccup that has to be addressed on May 26th and 27th, or it's going to be a major issue at the bargaining table. If the Company is allowed to continue to abuse the language like they have for the last multitude of years, it will continue to plague us moving forward. We will see more contractors, less full time employees and less opportunities for advancement. As one high level arbitrator stated, Article 3.07 "gives the Union a substantive right". We have to protect it at all costs, as with it's down fall and failure, it would start a chain of events that would be extremely harmful long term. Contracting out is just one of the many issues that need to be addressed at the bargaining table this round. So much so, we have had to book extra days to continue through our list provide by everyone. The support for the committee has been outstanding. We appreciate the feedback and positive comments, so thank you. On a last note, it sounds like the Company is going to try to push the mandatory KN95/CN95 mask thing again. There are several reminders that are very important to know about. First and foremost, no one can force you into any unsafe work situation. If the Company is stating that only way to be safe while working in close proximity of another worker is to wear PPE, which should be the last line of defense at all times, then you have the Right to Refuse that work. Social distancing is the only true protective means you have to avoid getting sick, as a mask is NOT 100% effective. It's only a barrier that is there to add another level of protection above and beyond the 6 foot rule. No one can force you to work in close proximity. Second, we are not alone. USW 9346, representing Teck Elkview and Coal Mountain, are fighting back as well. They have several campaigns planned to push back against this latest Corporate agenda, which we have been informing key stewards and members about. Down to the brass tacks, they are afraid of the new rules, which would compromise their ability to make massive profits during record breaking copper numbers. Till the next update! In Solidarity, Your Local Union Bargaining Committee Comments are closed.
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August 2021
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