Arbitrator sides with the company for machinists CBA

[HighT5]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/201 ... ml?cmp=rss

The federal arbitrator is siding with Air Canada in a long-standing labour dispute between the airline and its unionized machinists.

Michel Picher is imposing the company's final contract offer, a five-year deal that includes pension changes for any new hires.

The move to arbitration followed months of negotiations between the Montreal-based airline and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

Air Canada (TSX:AC.A) says it will not comment on the new collective agreement as details of the deal are being communicated to employeess.

The IAMAW represents 8,600 mechanics, baggage handlers and cargo agents employed by Air Canada.

[North Shore]

includes pension changes for any new hires

I wonder, though, if the resume pile will start slimming down after this contract?

[What About Me?]

Did anyone expect a different result?

It will be the same for the pilots.
Doomed as doomed could be.

[ywg9]

Shocker. As they say in chess check

[chatman]

That was sure quick...Pilots will follow suit
The AC unions need to take some lessons from Canada Posts union.

[ywg9]

I would say cp union first than canada post lol

[Rockie]

All of this is unfolding according to the script co-authored last year by incompetent executives bereft of ideas and original thought, and a federal government systematically dismantling Canada's parliamentary democracy.

Air Canada is effectively done just like Qantas, and by the next federal election we won't even recognize Canada anymore.

[cigayi]

Here's the official wording of the decision boys and girls:

http://iamaw2323.ca/wp-content/uploads/ ... -Award.pdf

[ywg9]

Agreed rockie. Harper govt has spit in the face of canadians and is trying to take away what we canadians call canada

[altiplano]

General strike. Nationwide, all organized labour. Shoulder to shoulder, spit back and see what happens. First it's Canada Post and Air Canada, then the old age pension, then CP... make no mistake, EVERYONE IS A TARGET. They will come for you and our generation and beyond... As if the geezers hadn't fucked this country enough... KICK THE HARPER GOVERNMENT TO THE STREET...

[Rockie]

by the next federal election we won't even recognize Canada anymore.

Assuming Harper doesn't place a moratorium on elections due to the "fragile nature of the economy" of course.

I doubt we've seen the limit of their contempt for democracy yet.

[Old fella]

by the next federal election we won't even recognize Canada anymore.

Assuming Harper doesn't place a moratorium on elections due to the "fragile nature of the economy" of course.

I doubt we've seen the limit of their contempt for democracy yet.

Don’t despair yet Rockie. The word is getting out on the Harper regime, their credibility (what amount they had) is tanking fast even amongst their supporters. This C-38 bill that was subject to much scrutiny this past week has opened many eyes that on balance do not pay attention to such things. The CPC and their So-Cons are confirming what many suspect would happen. It won’t take much to move them out next time around as 60% of those who showed up didn’t support the CPC, translation the core/base got Harper elected. If the NDP can position themselves in the center and lock up their socialists ideologues in the barn which Tom M. seems to be successful anything may happen………..

[flatface]

Deleted

[Rockie]

their credibility (what amount they had) is tanking fast even amongst their supporters.

I wish I had your optimism Old Fella.

Clement and Baird steal $50 million dollars from us and when asked about it in a news conference Baird basically says "f*** you, I'm not answering that question" stunning the press gallery into silence....next.

They literally call environmental groups "radical terrorists" and gut any kind of environmental review process into major projects, and leave sole decision making to the cabinet...next.

They eliminate civilian oversight of CSIS...next.

They refuse to provide parliament - OUR REPRESENTATIVES - financial information on major spending initiatives like the F-35 and crime bill, and are found in contempt of parliament triggering an election...next. Then they get a majority...next. They're still refusing to provide financial information...NEXT.

They deny fundamental rights of workers with 100% consistency...next.

The Conservative's contempt for democracy and the Canadian people is matched only by their expertise at manipulating them and the system. They know what to say to move the process along to the next news story regardless of how outrageously false it is. They know when to back off before pushing ahead even harder. They know they can cheat at elections and as long as they deny it that will placate the sheep long enough to distract them with something else.

And just so we don't drift completely off this thread, companies like Air Canada are only too happy to take advantage of it.

[Jack In The Box]

This thread is getting ridiculous. What did you Harper haters expect? AC management has been put between a rock and a hard place-either they need to change the structure of the pensions at AC, or they're business is going to go under (And EVERYONE, get it EVERYONE) is going to lose their jobs. And the fix is not for management to cut their own salaries (though, they should anyway..). I'm not being an AC management apologist, I'm definitely on the side of the pilot union, but I at least have the sense to try and look at both perspectives.

I don't get why people don't see this. If socialists had their way, all the profitable businesses would either a) run into the ground or b) leave. The current government is trying to prevent that, even if they do it in a way that isn't great (I wasn't happy about blocking AC strike, btw). I, at least, can appreciate that.

[bearinmind]

I hope you all take a couple minutes to read the 17 page report, piche says a couple times that the decision is based on the limitations of the bill and not normal for this type of arbitrator. He mentions that usualy the ability to pay is not a concideration, however it is in this case. The arbitrator has no choice but to side with the company, or all they have to argue is that the company can not comply and continue to operate under the award, making the judgement illegal. It was made to look like a fair shake but it can only go one way. We will get the same thing, the company's approval is required. I am very concerned about the 10 year releif of pension requirements. A 5 year deal with a 10 year pension releif means we will be fighting this same fight in 5 years and a bill requiring the company to get their way.

I wish they had at least been honest and just F^@%ed us hard, given us a kiss on the cheek on the way out the door. This just wasted our time.

Union negotiations have just evolved in Canada. They are a public relations fight and negotiation with the company is a waste of time. We should focus on public opinion.

Please phone/email your mp and tell him/her how upset you are with this award, as well as the rail, and canada post. I have received a letter in return for every letter I have sent.

[rudder]

Union negotiations have just evolved in Canada. They are a public relations fight and negotiation with the company is a waste of time. We should focus on public opinion.

Not quite.

Union negotiations changed at AC in 2003/2004 as the reality of CCAA and possible liquidation manifested itself. Nothing has changed since but the AC labour groups simply reverted to the old playbook.....and lost.

No surprise here.

[ywg9]

jack if the solution was for the govt to get involved when they had no right that might have been one thing but for the govt to slant the favor of the process towards the company with there wording of the law is the problem. both are the problem but to me that more so. and you lead a company by example if you want me to give up my pension and pay and wow than management should do the same. i have no problems with management makeing huge bonusses IF IF the company does well. funny all these mps putting there nose in negots and going after ppls pension yet i bet there pension is doing great and they dont have to worry about there company attacking it

[BTyyj]

but I at least have the sense to try and look at both perspectives.

Look at it from the perspective of future generations. If the Air Canada executives continue to get away with anything they want, where will it end?

[Rockie]

Union negotiations changed at AC in 2003/2004 as the reality of CCAA and possible liquidation manifested itself. Nothing has changed since but the AC labour groups simply reverted to the old playbook.....and lost.

Wrong. At least two things changed and you know it.

1. We aren't in CCAA anymore. It would be foolish to negotiate a contract as if we still were.

2. The Conservatives came to power. They misuse existing legislation and enact others to prevent any labour group under their jurisdiction from exercising their right to withdraw services in pursuit of a fair contract. The Conservatives also enact legislation ensuring whatever draconian working conditions a company can come up with in their wildest dreams come true.

Maybe you could tell us how in your mind those two things haven't changed the landscape since 2003/2004?