President’s Report to General Meeting March 11, 2009

Over the last year there has been constant change, throughout the Local as well as BC Transit. And with these changes have come new challenges and new opportunities.  There are a lot of new faces, in your Union Executive, Job Stewards, Committee Members and of course in our membership as new members replace the large number of retirees.

There is also a complete turnover of the corporate face at BC Transit.  Virtually all the old management players are gone, replaced by a cadre of unknowns.  This has led to a period of adjustment and uncertainty as we all try to establish a new relationship with the each other.  This testing of each other has led to an unprecedented number of challenges to our Collective Agreement and naturally, a corresponding number of Grievances and several Arbitrations.  Rest assured more are on the way as the new Transit team attempts to flex its muscle.  Your Executive and Stewards are spending many long days dealing with the “New Kids on the Block”. We are being challenged to test our resolve as we lead up to the next round of Bargaining in 2010. The Company has a brand new Bargaining team and so do we. It won’t be easy and we must all accept that fact and prepare for it.

We must all put aside our differences and present a united face to management. And the bargaining survey will be of immeasurable help in creating that face. I urge everyone to fill out a survey.

Another change in the works is the fact that this building has been purchased by new owners and the lease will expire May 31 rather than at the end of 2009.  We have to make decisions in this matter in a very short time. Do we stay, do we go, do we rent, do we lease, or do we buy? A report has been presented under New Business.  I must confess that many issues are vying for the Executive’s attention and are keeping me extremely busy since my election and into the foreseeable future. 60-Hour work weeks have been, and will continue to be the Norm. As the old joke goes “I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately it’s the headlamp from the oncoming train!”

In solidarity,

LR Jones, President