The company has told local 975 they will be eliminating 100 unionized employees. Sounds like the union will not be cooperating with the company, forcing the company to take the 100 people with lowest seniority. This will mess with the companies diversity goals and I think that is great.
20 replies (most recent on top)
If it was truly voluntary then why by dept and director then seniority? The company has said we are not replacing those roles period. That's not voluntary that's layoffs and job reductions and by agreeing to it our executive would of wiped clean a whole chapter of hard fought negotiated job protection in our CA's. This is not another VWO. The company can at any time offer to buy employees out, but it goes by seniority and that is what they are trying to bypass.
That might be so, but it was still 'voluntary'. You can take the package or not. I guess I'm not sure what happens if there aren't 100 voluntary severances. They then proceed to reach their goal by chopping at the bottom?
Your assumption that those they were targeting via seniority/department were close to retirement is incorrect.
To the comment below, thats great and all for solidarity... but it clearly said it was 'voluntary'. Why not give those close to retirement the option for a package instead of forcing enbridge to chop from the bottom?
The reason all locals are not cooperating is that the company wants to pick and choose...by department by seniority. That means someone with 10 years seniority could lose their job and that someone with only 2 years seniority will keep theirs if in another dept or depot. The unions made the correct choice not to assist them. It goes against our CA's and is dirty pool. And we did get a vote, we voted our executive in to make these hard decisions that are best for everyone, not just a few employees
I have heard that no voluntary packages being offered to non union employees. Make the company pay full price! They’ve already watered down the pension and benefits now let me guess the company is frothing at the mouth cause it’s their last opportunity to sc--w you one last time… for old times sake.
Overpaid union leeches? How would you like to be stuck out on a plant damage until 2am and then have to report back to the office at your scheduled 8am start time while being on call for emergencies?
By the sounds of your comment, you’ve probably never turned a wrench in your life. While you’re sleeping in your warm bed late at night, others are out working, maintaining and fixing our plant.
Remember that next time you want to run your mouth about union workers.
"Let your membership decide what’s best for us there are guys that are willing to go that have been here longer the me and others."
They do. CBAs are voted on. The leadership is elected as well. Sounds like you want to run the union the way you see fit but it's not all about you.
"Thank god, get rid of those overpaid union leeches. Should get rid of the senior fat oldies"
In our group the oldest and the fattest person is the supervisor! LOL
"Thank god, get rid of those overpaid union leeches
Should get rid of the senior fat oldies"
I say get rid of the young employees texting all day. They can't concentrate because they are too busy texting, on dating dites and taking selfies.
Good riddance kids. See you when you grow a work ethic.
"I wonder if that's in addition to the 650. Or is that including the 650"
My guess is that it would be on top of the 650.
The reason I say this is because the announcement clearly said that the company had given the unions a deadline of March 1st to respond to their offer. That would mean that the 100 positions the company would like to eliminate would be taking place in March while previous communications have stated that the 650 would all be done by the end of February.
So it would appear that in Ontario at least there will be a further 100 positions in addition to SOME supervisors and advisors.
How does less people make me work more hours, my overtime hours are optional like everyone’s and I can’t work more hours then I am legally allowed too. On call. REALLY I already take hours because my good hard working union brothers bail at the last minute already so like you Carter! Telling me what’s good for me while you sit on your A-S, you want to help the on call bring back the second shift and I can go home too my family.
You dont like being paid by “the company” then quit! No g-n to your head guess your worried that nobody would hire you if they knew you! Like the other guy said it does effect you! My money put to good use
I don’t get this garbage! I don’t mean the cuts I am referring to the comments attacking or
People!
There are good supervisors and there are lazy cr-p supervisors, no surprise there are good union brothers and sisters as well as lazy cr-p workers but we all are employees!
The supervisors won’t get a choice and due to our executive neither will we! Oh but wait Doug and his team are standing up for us! As they huff and puff and stick out their chests but guess what folks they aren’t effected!! They can’t get laid off but they can decide for me and others what is best! So I sit here with over 20 years wondering if it’s me or the newer guy who is working hard but a newer hire! Let your membership decide what’s best for us there are guys that are willing to go that have been here longer the me and others.
Get out of your palace Doug and friends and look after us!
Shouldn't union members vote on this rather than leadership what if senior members want a package
"we concluded that Enbridge has no appetite to replace the workforce to maintain the current staffing levels"
Oh, you concluded that, did you?
Enbridge: "We're cutting our workforce by 650 positions."
Union: "We conclude that they aren't going to immediately rehire people to maintain the current staffing levels."
Clap... clap... clap... well done. You earned your union dues on that one.
The 100 will not be spread across all the Unifor locals that exist in Ontario. Read the email carefully dimwit
Sisters and Brothers of Unifor Local 975 and the Unifor Gas Workers Council,
Enbridge has approached our respective Unifor locals looking for our assistance in reducing the workforce by over 100 Union members across Ontario by offering all Unifor locals seniority based, voluntary severances by department and director, with no intention of replacing these vacancies.
This action would significantly impact our membership and our Locals causing adverse consequences on multiple fronts. The reduction in staffing will impact areas where we are already short staffed, making it increasingly difficult to maintain on-call and vacation coverages. This reduction will put the remaining staff at risk due to extended and excessive hours of work causing possible safety issues and adding more stress to already understaffed front lines.
When the Company was asked how they intend to deal with this reduction of the workforce, they simply stated, “we will have to learn to work differently”. We interpret this to mean they intend to replace Unionized staff with an increased use of contractors.
After considerable dialog between the 975 EGD Unit Executive Board, the Unifor Gas Workers Council and our National Union representatives, we concluded that Enbridge has no appetite to replace the workforce to maintain the current staffing levels. Combined with the threat of using more contractors and the unrealistic timeline of March 1st, the Unifor Locals who will be affected by this action, have agreed unanimously that we have no intention of assisting Enbridge in the reduction of Unionized staff. As a result, we have referred them to the language in our respective Collective Bargaining Agreements, reminding Enbridge to follow the provisions regarding layoffs and severances as set out in these CBA’s.
In Solidarity,
Unifor 975 EGD Executive Board
Unifor Gas Workers Council
Probably included in the 650, unless they are contractors. My understanding is that the numbers are "650 employees" plus some contractors.
Wow sounds like someone is sour about being a loser non-union employee who is underpaid and overworked
I wonder if that's in addition to the 650
Or is that including the 650