Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Negotiations between Servisair and the Public Service Alliance of Canada commenced on December 10 and 11, 2009. The bargaining certificate for this new PSAC unit was issued by the Canada Industrial Relations Board on October 21, 2009. This unit of seventy-three (73) members provides fueling and fueling related services at the Vancouver International Airport.

The parties exchanged bargaining proposals on the first day. The employer’s proposals included rollbacks, including a freeze on wage progressions. Your bargaining team stated that we would not engage in concession bargaining. Despite this disappointing start, agreement in principle had been reached by the second day on the following issues / clauses:

• Purpose and scope of the Agreement
• Some definitions
• Recognition
• Use of Employer facilities
• Check-off / Union dues
• Information
• Discrimination
• Maternity Leave
• Parental Leave
• Leave without pay for personal reasons
• Jury duty
• Health and Safety
• Arbitration
• Joint Consultation
• Agreement Reopener

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The third negotiation session for a first collective agreement between GlobeGround Fuel Services Inc. and the Public Service Alliance of Canada was held on November 26 and 27, 2009. Despite the employer having to leave early, again, on the second day, progress was made on several issues. The parties signed off on four (4) issues including:

• Joint Consultation
• Classification and Job Descriptions
• Union Dues and Union Membership
• Use of Employer Facilities

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The parties have completed the incorporation of negotiated language and the Arbitral Award into a draft agreement. Once the draft agreement is proof-read, the parties will finalize any necessary changes, and then sign the Agreement.

The issues, such as wages, included in the September 24th Arbitral Award are effective on the date of the Award. All other changes included in the Agreement are effective on the date of signing.

The Agreement is expected to be signed before the end of November. Once signed, the Agreement will be posted on the PSAC website.

The third negotiation session for a first collective agreement between ARINC International of Canada and the Public Service Alliance of Canada took place November 3 to 5, 2009 (until noon).

After almost seven (7) days of negotiations, your bargaining team is pleased with the progress to date. Although the parties have agreed in principle to only one additional issue (Union Security – Dues Check-off), progress was made on numerous other proposals.

In addition to the issues currently being dealt with, the Union tabled proposals on some of the discussion items including language on: Short Term Sick Leave Program, Bereavement Leave, Maternity Leave, Education Leave, Travelling Time, Employee Performance Review, Staffing Procedure, Standby and Allowances.

At the employer’s request, the next session will most likely be held in early January 2010.

This new unit of approximately 20 members provide, amongst many other duties, technical support for computers and computer networks. They also operate a help-desk responding to customer calls at the Vancouver International Airport.

Negotiations for a first collective agreement between GlobeGround Fuel Services Inc. and the Public Service Alliance of Canada resumed October 14 and 15, 2009. The parties had originally agreed to also meet on October 16. However, the employer once again cancelled an already agreed to date without much notice to the Union.

Progress was slow. At the end of the two (2) day session, the parties had agreed, in principle, to two (2) articles dealing with the following issues:

• Joint Consultation
• Classification and Job Descriptions

Progress was made on some other non-monetary issues. Monetary issues were identified and will be dealt with later in the process.

The next session is scheduled for November 26 and 27, 2009

This new unit of 22 members was certified as a bargaining unit by the Canada Industrial Relations Board on March 16, 2009. Some of their duties include the supervision of approximately 80 fuelers and fueling related workers at the Vancouver International Airport as well as administrative duties related to inventory, accounts payable etc.

The second negotiation session for a first collective agreement between ARINC International of Canada and the Public Service Alliance of Canada was held October 7 and 8, 2009.

The beginning of the session was encouraging. The employer addressed all bargaining proposals the Union had tabled at the first session in August. Some responses showed signs of progress. Unfortunately, progress slowed down on the second day. In the end, the parties have reached agreement in principle on the following issues:

• Purpose and Scope of the Agreement
• Recognition clause
• No Discrimination
• Compassionate Care Leave
• Arbitration
• Professional Membership Fees
• Agreement Reopener

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The tentative agreement reached with Purolator Courier Ltd. on August 19, 2009, was ratified by the membership on September 27, 2009. Unless otherwise specified, the provisions of the agreement have force and effect on the date of ratification.

Highlights of the four year agreement, set to expire December 31, 2012, include:

• Economic increases of 3.0, 3.0, 3.25, and 3%
• Special equity adjustments for all classifications and levels of 2% in January 2011, and a further 2.5 % in January 2012
• Improvements to vacation leave for long-time employees
• Improvements to the pension plan and benefits plan
• Increased coverage for generic prescription drugs, basic dental care, and vision care.

The bargaining team would like to thank all members of the Local for their support during negotiations.

The YVR Negotiation team is pleased to announce the tentative agreement was ratified by the membership yesterday.  Highlights of the 4 year agreement, which expires December 31 2012 include

The team would like to thank all PSAC members at YVR for their support in this round of bargaining.

Your bargaining team received the arbitral award for the TC group and is deeply disappointed with the results. Your Union’s sidesperson on the arbitration panel has filed a dissenting report stating our objections to the outcome.

This award, along with other outstanding language will become the new collective agreement. Despite the bargaining team’s call for increases reaching beyond the legislated wage restraint, the arbitrator limited the award to four years. The four-year deal expires on June 21, 2011.

Your bargaining team went to arbitration with the hope that we could obtain a market increase for members at the end of the restraint period. We are dismayed that the arbitrator did not hear us and ruled against us.

The union’s arbitration brief made key arguments and presented data on a number of monetary issues that clearly demonstrated compensation gaps, all of which were ignored by the Arbitrator.

The monetary increases were awarded as per the legislated wage restraint:

• 2.3% pay increase on June 21, 2007
• 1.5% pay increase on June 21, 2008
• 1.5% pay increase on June 21, 2009
• 1.5% pay increase on June 21, 2010

We appreciate and recognize the patience that the members have shown throughout this process. The agreement will soon be signed and the new terms and conditions will soon be implemented.

We tried every possible avenue to get the best deal for members and we will continue our fight to get members the remuneration and the conditions of employment they deserve.

Download the following documents (pdf)

• Arbitration award
• The PSAC summary of the decision
• The PSAC sidesperson’s dissent

On Thursday September 3, 2009, a Tentative Agreement was reached between the Public Service Alliance of Canada and the Vancouver International Airport Authority.

• RATIFICATION VOTE:  September 24, 2009 – 1430 and 1900 hours, Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel, 7551 Westminster Highway, Richmond, BC

This Tentative Agreement is subject to the ratification by both parties and will become effective upon the date of ratification unless otherwise agreed to. The following highlights some of the terms of the Tentative Agreement subject to ratification:

• Duration – January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2012
• Increase to all Rates of Pay as follows
  • 1st Year – Effective January 1, 2009 – 2%; In addition, 1% increase to the RRSP contribution paid by the Authority for Employees in the Defined Contribution Plan. All other employees will receive a one-time signing bonus of $625.00.
  • 2nd Year – Effective January 1, 2010 – 1.5%; Effective July 1, 2010 – 1.5%
  • 3rd Year – Effective January 1, 2011 – 1.5%; Effective July 1, 2011 – 1.5%
  • 4th Year – Effective January 1, 2012 – 3%
• Weekend premium will increase to $1.75 effective January 1, 2010
• Vision care plan improvments: Laser eye surgery will not discontinue future claims for eye glasses or contact lenses
• Dental plan improvements: Increase the current approved schedule of fees for Basic Services to 100%; Effective January 1, 2011 increase the combined limit to $2,000.00
• Compassionate Care Leave: Expand the definition of family to reflect the Canada Labour Code and the EI Act.
• Improvements to Bereavement Leave
• Improvements to Family Related Responsibility Leave
• Letters of understanding on Personal Leave, Trades Shift Scheduling and Excluded Positions

Download the full ratification kit here.

Negotiations for a first collective agreement between GlobeGround Fuel Services Inc. and the Public Service Alliance of Canada are finally under way. The parties met to commence collective bargaining on August 27 and 28, 2009.

• Visit local20221.com to view the bargaining demand package.

On the first day of negotiations, information was exchanged between the parties. Your bargaining team also presented the employer with a package of bargaining proposals. The majority of those proposals contained actual contract language and the remaining items were identified as discussion items. The exchange of information continued on the second day and the employer responded to some of the non-monetary items.

Your bargaining team felt that a fair amount of work was accomplished in the first 2 days of negotiations. The next session is scheduled for the week of October 13, 2009

This new unit was certified by the Canada Industrial Relations Board on March 16, 2009. Some of their duties include the supervision of approximately 80 fuellers at the Vancouver International Airport as well as administrative duties related to inventory, accounts payable etc.

VANCOUVER, Sept. 2 /CNW/ – Representatives of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) are meeting with the Vancouver International Airport Authority (VIAA) tomorrow in a last minute effort to stave off a possible labour disruption at the airport, which could begin as early as September 18th.

“The clock is ticking at YVR,” says Kay Sinclair, PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President for BC, “We’ve met for 16 days over the last six months and it’s down to the wire – the Airport Authority now has just over two weeks to table an offer that meets our members’ needs.”

“PSAC members working at the airport are in a legal strike position starting September 18th,” she continues, “In a last ditch effort to avoid any disruption in service at the airport we will be returning to the table tomorrow with the help of a mediator.”

“Despite making over 31 million dollars in revenue over expenses in the first six months of this year, YVR has tabled a financial offer that is still far below average wage increases in the airport sector. They claim this is due to the state of the economy and the airline industry.” says Dave Clark, President of Local 20221 of the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE), a Component of the PSAC. “In the same economic environment every other comparable airport in the country is able to provide reasonable wage increase to their employees. Why can’t this Airport Authority?” asks Clark.

There are more than 340 PSAC members employed by the VIAA. These workers provide key services such as emergency response, international arrivals customer care, runway maintenance, airfield & approach lighting, computer system maintenance, baggage handling, passenger loading bridge operation, maintenance of airport equipment and administrative services.

A diverse union of over 165,000, PSAC members working in the public and private sectors deliver quality services to Canadians every day.

Negotiations for a first collective agreement between ARINC International of Canada and the Public Service Alliance of Canada commenced on August 25 and 26, 2009.

• Visit local20221.com to view the bargaining proposals

Your bargaining team presented the employer with bargaining proposals on the first day of negotiations. Discussions continued throughout the second day and the employer provided your bargaining team with some general comments and “high level” feedback. We expect the employer to come back with more detailed responses at the next meeting. The next session is scheduled for October 7 and 8, 2009.

This new bargaining unit was certified by the Canada Industrial Relations Board on May 19, 2009. This group of approximately 21 members provides, amongst many other duties, technical support for computers and computer networks at the Vancouver International Airport and other locations. They also operate a help-desk responding to customer calls at the Vancouver International Airport.

Thank you, Local 20221 Bargaining Team

Your bargaining team is pleased to announce that, with the assistance of a Conciliation Officer, a tentative agreement was reached on Wednesday August 19th. Highlights of the four year agreement, set to expire December 31, 2012, include

• Economic increases of 3.0, 3.0, 3.25, and 3%
• Special equity adjustments for all classifications and levels of 2% in January 2011, and a further 2.5 % in January 2012
• Improvements to vacation leave for long-time employees
• Improvements to the pension plan and benefits plan
• Increased coverage for generic prescription drugs, basic dental care, and vision care.

More details will be available in the ratification package. The ratification vote is being scheduled, and further details will be available soon.

The bargaining team would like to thank all members of the Local for their support during negotiations.

Your negotiating team, with the assistance of 2 conciliation officers, met with the employer from 9 a.m. Friday until 2 a.m. Saturday morning. We were unable to reach a settlement. Following you will find how that meeting developed.

At the mid-point of Friday morning we provided the employer with a proposal that represented a major step in attempting to achieve an agreement. Our proposal reflected the wants and needs of our membership as well as what other airports of a comparable size have already settled for. Our proposal included wage increases of 3.5% a year in a two year agreement.

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At the bargaining table, we have put forward a number of proposals that would provide a better work/life balance for YVR employees. Many of these proposals have absolutely no monetary impact on the employer.  Yet, we have received virtually no response from the employer except for “No”.  Two of these issues will be addressed below.

1) Flexible Hours

We have tabled a proposal to allow employees to work on a flexible schedule.  With consideration for operational requirements, this would permit people who work Monday to Friday to complete their 10 day work schedule in a 9 day period.

The employer’s response at the bargaining table was that they were not prepared to “walk down that road”.  They went on to suggest that this type of work arrangement could not work at the Airport.  As some people are aware this type of arrangement was authorized in at least one section and it worked very well for both the employer and the employees of that section.

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During bargaining, and in the information that they have been sending out to you, the employer has spent a lot of time talking about the state of the economy, and the poor state of the airline industry. We understand that times are tough � there is uncertainty for some airlines, and there has been a recession.

What we can�t understand, is that in the exact same environment, every other comparable airport in the country has managed to provide reasonable economic increases to their employees. All of these other employers operate in the same sector, under the same pressures, and in the same economic circumstances. YVR continues to be profitable, but they refuse to offer us comparable economic increases to all of the other large airports in the country.

Below is a table showing the percentage increases that have been negotiated at all of the other large Canadian airports in Canada

[1] This is higher than the others because of a classification conversion.� Base economic increases for the Halifax Airport were 3% per year.

[2] This is a minimum.� The Calgary airport negotiated minimum increases that will be higher if inflation exceeds certain thresholds.

Download the flyer (pdf).

All PSAC members working at Purolator Courier are invited to join in a Bargaining Update via Regional Teleconference Call

• Thursday Aug. 20, 2009 – 7:00PM
• Dial-in long distance: 877.385.4099
• Dial-in local: 604.899.2339
• Participants code: call the Vancouver RO at 604 430 5631 or 1 800 663 1655 for the code

Your Bargaining Team will provide an update on Negotiations to date and there will be a question and answer session.

UCTE Local 20221 (YVR) Strike Vote Meeting

• August 19, 2009, 14:30 & 19:00 hours
• IAM & AW Union Hall, 7980 River Road, Richmond

Bargaining Update

Your negotiating team met with your employer for two (2) days of meetings with the assistance of a federal conciliation officer. We presented the employer with a comprehensive response on all of the outstanding issues. Your negotiating team made substantial movement on a majority of our previous proposal package which we felt established the framework for a new collective agreement.

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The arbitration board for the TC collective agreement continues to deliberate. We are still waiting on the arbitration board’s decision. Under the law, the board is supposed to issue their decision as soon as possible. However, the law does not have any specified timelines for when that decision is to be issued.

As soon as any results are released, we will notify members immediately.

A more detailed update on the arbitration process was posted just after the hearings finished.� It better explains the process.