Bargaining Update, September 21, 2023
A tale of two workforces
Hello members,
Many of you have approached your union representatives with frustration over the company’s memo regarding Truth and Reconciliation Day.
In the memo, they advise that since the federal statutory holiday falls on a Saturday this year, they will not be providing a paid day in lieu for unionized workers, since they are not legally required to.
Had the memo ended there, it might have been acceptable, since that is in fact the way many workplaces are handling this stat holiday.
BUT
… the next line continues, saying that non-unionized employees *will* be given time in lieu.
We hear you loud and clear. This lopsided, preferential treatment of supervisory staff and the by-the-minimum-standards treatment of unionized workers is unacceptable.
This is the reason we must work together to do better. The employer will not do the right thing unless they are mandated to. They must be contractually obligated to operate with integrity. Equity must be printed in black and white. The union must fight -- not just negotiate, but fight – for every possible consideration, fair treatment, and right.
The union fights for your rights
Unifor fights for Racial Justice Advocates, Women’s Advocates and many other provisions that seek equity for marginalized groups and protects disrespected workers.
Unifor is YOU. It’s us, working together to make a better workplace. So, with our 97.6% strike mandate, we will continue through October’s upcoming conciliation dates and keep this memo in mind as we negotiate our next agreement.
We hope you’ll be ready to stand with us to get IMP to do better.
As always, you can read these updates (and share them with others) on the Local’s Bargaining Website, and can always ask questions of your bargaining committee members and stewards in the workplace.
Do you have more questions? Email the President and Unit Chairperson at @email.
Thank you for your solidarity and support.
Your Local 2215 Bargaining Committee:
Cole Landry
Danny Welch
Dean Meyer
Kaley Harnish
Kelly LeBlanc
Kim Thornhill
Darlene McIvor, Unifor National Representative
Bargaining Update, September 14, 2023
A strong strike mandate; postponed conciliation dates
Hello members,
First, we want to share our thanks to every single one of you who came out to cast a ballot for the strike mandate. We were able to secure a vote of 97.6% in favour of a strike! This puts us in a strong, united position in negotiations with the employer.
If you missed the media release about the result on the Unifor website, click here to read it. You may have also read about us on AllNovaScotia.com (a paywalled business news site), or on Saltwire.com.
You’re helping us say loud and clear that we are ready for a fair deal, and we’re willing to do what it takes to get there.
Updates on Conciliation
We have been meeting with the employer this week in scheduled conciliation meetings. However, we have had to postpone today and tomorrow’s meetings due to a case of Covid among essential negotiation personnel.
Dates are to be confirmed, but they should take place either the first or second week of October.
We apologize for this delay, as we know you’re as eager as we are to get an agreement. We will send another update once we have confirmed dates.
Expected Timelines
This also means that we will extend the 60-day period for negotiations until after those conversations. And remember, once conciliation ends, there will be a 21-day cooling period and following that, either party can give 72 hours’ notice of a strike or lockout.
As always, you can read these updates (and share them with others!) on the Local’s Bargaining Website, and can always ask questions of your bargaining committee members and stewards in the workplace.
Do you have more questions? Email the President and Unit Chairperson at @email.
Thank you for your solidarity and support.
Your Local 2215 Bargaining Committee:
Cole Landry
Danny Welch
Dean Meyer
Kaley Harnish
Kelly LeBlanc
Kim Thornhill
Darlene McIvor, Unifor National Representative
Bargaining Update, August 31, 2023
Local 2215 to hold a strike authorization vote
Hello members,
Today we have started notifying members of an important meeting on Monday, September 11 at the Waverley Legion. At this meeting, you will have the opportunity to vote to authorize strike action.
The higher the percentage of YES votes, the stronger our bargaining position is with the employer. Please make every effort to attend this meeting. There will not be another opportunity to cast your vote and the vote is held via paper ballot, in person.
Answers to some frequently asked questions are below and we encourage you to reach out to us if you have other concerns.
Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you at the Legion on Monday, September 11!
FAQ about the Strike Authorization Vote process
Why are we holding a strike vote?
This is a standard union procedure during bargaining where all members show the employer how important their demands are, and that the membership is willing to withhold labour (stop work) in order to get a fair contract.
I might be busy that day. How important is my vote?
VERY. Please make every effort to attend the vote. A strong strike mandate gives the bargaining committee the power to push for a better contract for you. You can show the employer how serious you are about wages, benefits and working condition improvements by voting YES.
Does voting ‘yes’ mean we are on strike immediately after the vote?
NO. A vote to authorize a strike means that members have given their approval for the bargaining committee to call a strike if the committee believes that striking is the only way to achieve a fair contract. A strike is one tool in the toolbox and is often used as a last resort when important issues are unresolved.
How would the bargaining committee communicate that a strike has been called?
You will be notified at least 24 hours in advance through email, on the Local’s Bargaining Website, and by stewards and bargaining committee members in the workplace.
Do you have more questions? Email the President and Unit Chairperson at @email, or speak with a bargaining committee member or your steward.
July 20 Member Update
Dear Members,
Thursday, July 20, 2023, the union filed for conciliation.
This process involves bringing in a third party to facilitate conversations between the union and the employer and, importantly, provides deadlines to prevent negotiations from stalling or taking longer than they need to.
The Local arranged for the National union to send a media release on our behalf to draw attention to our negotiations and advise local reporters about the conciliation filing. The text sent to reporters is available to read on unifor.org/news.
Contact your Shop Steward or a member of the bargaining committee if you have any questions. We will keep you informed as the conciliation process moves forward.
In solidarity,
Your Local 2215 Bargaining Committee:
Cole Landry
Danny Welch
Dean Meyer
Kaley Harnish
Kelly LeBlanc
Kim Thornhill
Darlene McIvor, Unifor National Representative
June 28 Update - First meeting with the employer
Dear members,
Your Bargaining Committee has been at the bargaining table with IMP from June 21-23, 2023.
We are encouraged to be bargaining once more, and eager to have this opportunity to present your concerns to the employer.
These initial days are about each side sharing their proposals and determining where we align – and where we don’t. Our next meetings will be followed by updates to you via email.
The union does not bargain in public so that we can maintain all strategic advantages possible, but we will use email to update you as often as possible. We would ask all members to not listen to the Employer for updates or entertain rumours that may come up during the bargaining process. Please reach out to your local union representatives for additional information or with questions and ensure the bargaining committee has your personal email address on file.
We would like to thank the membership for their continuing support.
In solidarity,
Your Local 2215 Bargaining Committee:
Cole Landry
Danny Welch
Dean Meyer
Kaley Harnish
Kelly LeBlanc
Kim Thornhill
Darlene McIvor, Unifor National Representative
