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President’s Report May 2010
Hi Everyone;
Here is Vince Ready's Arbitration Award on the Cowichan Valley Commuter grievance. LINK
I thought the saying was "Bad News travels fast"! This
decision was 7 months overdue! We lost the grievance the basis of Transits
argument that Cow Valley was never our work and originates outside our transit
area. But it confirms that the costs/service hour are ludicrous, if I read it
correctly. And in the last paragraph of the decision that we reserve the right
to address issues on a case by case basis. It also reconfirms that they must
consult with us on any work originating within our Service Area. Not much to
hang our hat on in any case. Arbitrations always bring uncertainty to
resolutions.
Negotiations Negotiations between the Drivers and Maintenance and BC Transit begin on May 10th . COPE (Dispatch and office workers) is also Bargaining with Transit. Local 333 also has Bargaining scheduled for MediVan Stretcher Service and HandyDART, whose contracts expire June 30 and October 31, respectively. So busy times ahead.
CAW Council & President Conference I attended both meetings in April. Both meetings focused on two basic concerns--- the need to organize the unorganized and to find new ways to improve communication between our members at the local, regional and National levels.
Organizing The labour movement needs to increase the density of Union members; the more workers we have in unionized workplaces with collective agreements, the higher the minimum standards enjoyed by all. What we have been witnessing over the last two years is an all-out attack on unions throughout Canada and the US, particularly in the manufacturing sectors. Concessions on wages, benefits and working conditions are the employers’ goal. Having more workers in unions increases our collective strength while staving off the “race to the bottom” strategy of employers. Therefore if any of our members have friends or relatives who may be in non-union jobs and are looking for union assistance please contact the union office or one of the executive.
Communication While the Union believes that the best way to communicate is at union meetings it also realizes that that is becoming increasingly difficult in a 24/7/365 job combined with the hectic pace of today. One way that info can be disseminated more efficiently is thru the use of email. Obviously if you are reading this you have given you address to caw333news@cawvidc.bc.ca . But you can inform other members who wish to receive news electronically to send their email address to the above and in the “Subject” box type “CAW333NEWS—YES”
Local Issues I have received complaints from members who have been phoned at home by BC Transit to discuss job-related issues, such as CSR’s or Safety and Security issues. Please be advised that you are under no obligation to talk to the employer on your own time. They are being paid to call you; you aren’t being paid. If Transit wants to talk to you they know when and where you work and they can book you off from your shift or pay you one-hour for a call-in to deal with any issues. You also then have the opportunity to have Union representation present when called in—a benefit that we urge every member to take advantage of.
Grievances There have been two grievances recently resolved concerning assaults on drivers…one at mediation under the aegis of WCB and one at 2nd Stage. Both dealt with suspensions and both have been resolved to the member’s satisfaction. Speaking of assaults there was another “spitting” assault earlier this week. The assailant was located by another operator.
In solidarity,
LR Jones, President
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