What are everyone’s thoughts on the email from local 975 received on Friday afternoon?
13 replies (most recent on top)
I predict you will see around triple the amount of non union positions at VPC disappearing after all is said and done. Somewhere around 35.
There is no leak survey left from my understanding - only one unionized surveyor left. And what unionized building maintenance people are left? Perhaps I’m wrong but I thought we did away with facilities, and some people went to Kleenway so not sure what other unionized staff is at VPC other than dispatch, WMC, Records, field reps and some other clerical roles (CADD, permits, etc).
The union told the company to go by the CBA language but until any actual layoff notices begin, the company could still come back with a counter offer.
If in the end the company does follow the letter of the CBA and hands out layoff notices for the 45 field positions there could be bumping. Some of the field staff may find themselves in a position where they have no choice but to bump an office position. They have the right to do that per the agreement. It's harder for the reverse to happen because the language states you can only bump if "qualified". So for example a CS&C tech is someone who holds a fitter license and therefore cannot be bumped by a clerical person who does not hold that license.
There are some in the field that would never take an office job as they would see that as a living he-l. Others just want to be "packaged out" into retirement, which the company can still do but they should not expect anything more than double what the CBA says they are entitled to (if that).
If any office member of 975 read the update and thought "phew! I am safe because it's all field positions being laid off" they could be shocked when it all goes down and find themselves bumped out in the end. And it wont matter what office or depot you are in either.
The union refused to bypass the language in the CA, which is what the company wanted. There was no "working with the company" The union refused so the company had to follow the contract. Instead of talking about the dummies on the site, maybe know all the facts before posting about the so called dummies
The business has worked with the union and the 11 people with seniority who want to go with a full pocket are getting the best deal !
Again to many dummies on this site stirring it up - both the union and company are first class!
Doesn’t 975 have layoff protection clauses?
"Interesting how they specified specifically 11 people at VPC and not any other locations"
I suspect those 11 are not desk jobs and a combination of Leak Survey and building maintenance/warehouse positions.
Interesting how they specified specifically 11 people at VPC and not any other locations
Is there protective language in 975’s CBA like there is in the LUG unifors? Pretty sure they can’t be laid off as long as contractors are doing any sort of work
To me it looks like the company's strategy is to hammer a wedge between the office and field members and divide them with the ultimate desired outcome being split bargaining units.
Surprised at the percentage of field positions. I was expecting more half and half numbers. The 11 at VPC don't necessarily mean office positions either.
It will be interesting to see the company's next move after being directed to the CBA.
Will they? Or will they come back with a new offer?
What was the email???
It is an excellent idea to eliminate unions. Unions cater to the lowest common denominator. It is regressive, uninspiring, and an overall sad way to conduct business. When a business looks to put shareholders first again, it should readily eliminate as much union activity as it can.