Business Managers Report - Fall 2018
Greetings Brothers and Sisters! The more I meet our membership the more I am astonished at the work you all do. Members in Local 2228 deliver services that keep our world in motion by installing and maintaining critical aviation systems at Nav Canada. The Locals membership preserves our safety by keeping mission systems operational for the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Coast Guard to name a few of several departments our members work in.
Local 2228’s membership and what they do is often misunderstood and underpromoted. I urge every member to make others aware of what you do for the Citizen’s of Canada and those that travel through our great country. It is time to promote what you do!
I am proud and honoured to serve you as the Business Manager of Local 2228.
Federal Government News
The Local’s first date to begin collective bargaining with the Treasury Board ( TBS ) is the 22nd of October, 2018. The Bargaining Team was selected in June and met in September for some training and to finalize the proposals from the membership.
The Local tried to entice the employer to sign before the end of the contract by offering a possible extension of the contract in exchange for reasonable economic increases. The Local was advised that our proposal was duly noted, however, the employer was not ready to entertain such an offer at that time.
In other news, bargaining committees at the National Joint Council ( NJC ) continue to negotiate for improvements to the Public Service Health Care Plan and the Dental Care Plan as neither has been updated in a very long time.
The Local continues to work diligently with several other bargaining agents and the Treasury Board on health and wellness program which is intended to replace the current sick leave provisions.
Phoenix;
What does one say? This doomed pay system is still present and continues to frustrate public servants that show up every day and do their job. The government has publicly announced they are committed to finding a new system over the next year. Time will tell.
The bargaining agents, through the National Joint Council sub-committee on Phoenix, continue to put pressure on the employer to pay damages in some form or fashion.
Members that searching for financial relief for out-of-pocket expenses related to Phoenix ( including lost interest, financial fees, benefits losses due to incorrect T4’s etc..) are reminded to visit the Government of Canada’s claims office. All public service unions fought hard to have this system put into place.
Nav Canada News
Recently I had the opportunity to travel the Country with Nav Canada’s CEO and the Senior Vice President of Human Resources. Nav Canada management took it upon themselves to meet exclusively with the IBEW membership to discuss the recent engagement survey results.
The membership was highly vocal and engaged with management while discussing the survey results. Nav Canada management became enlightened to many issues they were previously unaware of.
Early in 2019, the collective bargaining process with Nav Canada will start again. Stay tuned to the Locals website for updates.
CKUA Radio, Rogers and Yellow Pages
The Local is actively engaged in negotiations with all three of these employers at the moment.
The Way forward
Over the next year, the Local will be busy with negotiations on several fronts. We will be looking for substantial gains while remaining cautiously optimistic.
Membership promotion will be a top priority for me over the next year. It is time to inform people just how important our membership is.
In Solidarity
Paul Cameron
Business Manager/Financial Secretary IBEW LU 2228