Friends and comrades,

 

In today's dispatch, we're covering a way to update your contact information with the Local office, the outcome of the Program of Demands and Referendum votes, how overtime should be offered during peak season, and the recent tabling of federal anti-scab legislation.

 

Solidarity,

 

Kyle Turner, Communications Officer

For this coming round of bargaining, our Local is going to be using an automated texting service in order to get the message to everyone about a strike vote, strike, or a lockout. It's also a good idea to have your information updated with the local office for any future correspondence. 

 

We have been doing workfloor visits in order to spread the word and get as many people to update their information as possible. If you haven't seen anyone on the workfloor doing this yet or if you missed a visit, you can still update your contact information by clicking HERE.

 

Between September 24th and November 5th, our union held votes to ratify two Program of Demands for our upcoming contract negotiations for Urban and RSMC members. The results are in: Urban members voted 93.95% in favour and RSMC members voted 92.51% in favour.

At the same time, we held a referendum on whether one of our demands should be the merger of the RSMC and Urban bargaining units. Urban voted 66.37% in favour and RSMC voted 64.98% in favour, which means this will become one of our demands.

On Thursday, November 9th, CUPW served notice to CPC to begin bargaining. The first scheduled meetings with the employer are set for November 15th and 16.

Peak season is quickly approaching and this usually means plenty of opportunities for OT for those who want it. There is a process to make sure OT is offered transparently and fairly. If you would like to learn more, please click HERE.

 

On November 9th, the federal government tabled anti-scab legislation. When this law is passed, it will ban the use of scabs (replacement workers) in federally regulated workplaces. This Bill will also place limits on the employer's use of non-union contractors hired before a work stoppage, as well as impose fines of up to $100,000 per day for employers found to be violating the law.

 

This Bill is a result of a key promise made by the Liberals to the NDP as a part of their supply and confidence agreement.

 

For more information, check out this article on The Maple.