(The Canadian Auto Workers posted the following statement on its website on March 1.)
TORONTO — On Thursday, February 26, as previously reported, the CAW bargaining committees made a full presentation to the CN committee concerning the harsh new discipline system, deterioration of working conditions, and lack of respectful treatment of employees. Among other proposals, the CAW filed a new demand that the company reinstate the previous disciplinary system and that mediated discussions take place as to how to make improvements in the treatment of our members.
On Friday afternoon, the CAW committee presented to the CN the areas of the collective agreement where our members are seeking changes and improvements. These areas included the wage increases, improvements for post-Jan. 1, 2004 retirees, extended health and vision care, shift differential, weekend premium, an immediate signing bonus and ongoing bonuses based on a system to be determined, and the inclusion of post-Jan. 1, 1994 members in the Employment Security provisions. The CAW also stated that the provision to allow retirees to work weekends, and the appendix about re-negotiating ES in conjunction with productivity, must be deleted.
Shortly after the meeting, CN President E. Hunter Harrison requested the right to meet with the full union committee, saying he would like to hear directly the concerns of the union. The request was granted, and the meeting took place at 6:30 pm., in the presence of the government mediators.
The two sides talked about the strike action and the effect it was having on both sides and on the public. The CAW clearly stated that although our preference was for amicable negotiated settlements, the strike would continue for as long as it took until workers approved a new agreement, and until workers could return to a workplace where they were treated with respect and where problems could be openly aired and solutions found.
The CAW bargaining committee then presented in detail, with many examples, the incidents and events from the workplace that have instilled a sense of betrayal and anger in our members. Mr. Harrison commented on many of the issues and presented his own views on the role of discipline. He said he was prepared to work with the union on these issues. The overall dispute, however, remains unresolved at this time.
The CAW then clearly reiterated that besides the issue of treatment of employees, there was no question of stopping the striking or reaching a new agreement without a significantly improved collective agreement package, as outlined before.
To this, Mr. Harrison repeated what he had said in his message to employees about his unwillingness to increase the wage offer. He did, however, state that he could envision four alternative ways to proceed:
1) In addition to the 3%-3%-3% salary increase, a lump-sum non-pensionable bonus based on a formula to be determined. There would be no guarantee of how much money this might produce in any given year. In addition, he stated that the entire weekend provision (i.e. both the retirees working weekends and the weekend premium) could be deleted and the cost of this be distributed as a lump sum; OR
2) A four-year agreement, with wage increases of 3%-3%-3% and 4% in the final year, as well as the same bonus concept as above. OR
3) Continuing along the road of strike action without the parties changing their positions for the indefinite future; OR
4) A resort to “non-binding arbitration”, by which Mr. Harrison meant the use of a third-party process which would hear the two parties concerns fully and then recommend, but not impose, a resolution.
The meeting ended and the bargaining committee met this morning (Saturday) to analyze the situation. The committee decided, after much deliberation, to adjourn the talks and return to the field and consult with the membership as to the best way to go forward, ensuring that we have as clear a mandate as possible before the next talks are scheduled.
In the meantime, strike action will carry on. We thank our members once again for their solidarity and patience in the current difficult situation. We also warmly thank the other CN unions and their members who have expressed support and many of whom have lent us invaluable assistance.