DECEMBER   2009   NEWSLETTER

MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR

To that end we have not reached a deal that we can recommend as yet but we are close.   We are down to exchanging packages on a few outstanding items and the money the other Civic Unions received is there.  Of course it is retroactive to July 6, 2009 when the current agreement expired.   We are at a slight disadvantage as a result of going an additional 3 months in the 2000 agreement and again in 2003.   We are still trying to correct that inequity.   We are also trying to nail down some language that basically mirrors testimony given by Calgary Transits representatives in arbitration but are having some difficulty there.   Our last meeting was December 18 and we are scheduled to meet again January 13, 2010.   We thank you for your patience on this matter and look forward to updating you in the New Year.

On a positive note, so far in December we have been able to resolve two arbitrations prior to the hearing and are working on a third.   This saves a lot of time and resources for both parties and is a lot easier on the member involved too.   Maybe this will be a trend for 2010.   Also with the help of Robin West and the ATU Canadian Council, it appears we are gaining some real ground on making changes to the Criminal Code which in turn will make some people think twice about going after our members at work.

We have had a number of highlights during 2009 such as a negotiated settlement over the wrongful dismissal of our Steward, Bob Babonau by his Garage Supervisor out of Anderson Garage.   Another highlight was International President Warren George, International Executive Vice-President Ron Heintzman and of course our International Vice-President Bob Hykaway clearing their schedules to honour our 500 retirees and guests at our Fall Banquet in October.

As usual there have been many challenges too.    The downturn in the economy has had a negative impact on our members through a reduction in services and a drastic reduction in hiring new staff.   This increases the workload on everyone and hopefully we have turned the corner on this.   Also the rate of terminations out of areas like the LRV Service Lane at Anderson Garage and in Operations continue to cause concern.

The biggest challenge we have going forward is the ruthless attack on our members at the “Not for Profit” Calgary HandiBus Association by Calgary Transit and the Manager at Access Calgary.   While properties across Canada are shoring up accessible transportation and bringing the work in-house to insure quality transportation for the disabled, the decision makers at Access Calgary are farming out the work to “for profit” Southland Transportation.   This has resulted in 14 employees at HandiBus being laid off on January 1, 2010.   It will not be a very Merry Christmas or a Happy New Year for these people.   It must be an easy decision for Calgary Transit/Access Calgary to make when they don’t have to deal directly with the victims of their decision or even have to muster up the courage to come to the table at negotiations.    The Manager of Access didn’t even so much as call the Union before or after making the decision.   When this gets political I hope whoever is responsible for this cowardly act meets the same fate as the 14 members at HandiBus.
                                         
           FOR YOUR INFORMATION…..    

  The strike by UFCW at Old Dutch Foods has been resolved.   Please consider buying these products again.

CONGRATULATIONS
On His Retirement   
Jerry Bosch – November 21, 2009

In Solidarity,

Mike Mahar, Doug Johannes, Rick Ratcliff, Walter Moodie