Why Wages, Pensions and Post Retirement Benefits?
Hello Everyone,
During my visits to the airport I had the opportunity to listen to your questions and concerns. I am delighted to write this newsletter to clarify some aspects of the role of a Bargaining Rep and the bargaining process.
Bargaining Rep’s Office
Bargaining Representatives work from home and are expected to travel ( sometimes at the drop of a hat) for meetings and escalations at the Corporate Level. Constant travel( nights and weekends included) is a requirement .
The Players
5 bargaining Representatives are elected
· Pacific (YVR Apt and Res)
· Western (Alberta, Manitoba and Thunder Bay)
· Central (Ontario)
· Eastern (Quebec)
· Atlantic (Maritimes)
The 5 BRs elect a chair (currently Me) to lead the committee.
Also at the table:
Unifor 2002 President who is also elected.
A National Staff Representative. Appointed by Unifor. Unifor is the owner of the bargaining Certificate.
FACTS
Seven individuals must come to a consensus to move a proposal forward.
Once a consensus is reached, it is delivered to the Company usually by the National Staff Representative. At times by the president or the chair of the bargaining committee.
WHY A WAGES, PENSION AND POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS PLATFORM.
WAGES
First , lets note that Bargaining representatives get paid by Air Canada. Bargaining Reps get their normal 40hours/week CES wage as per the provisions of the collective agreement. A 15% premium is applied for BRs who were CESs. As I was already a Lead myself no additional premium applies to me as a bargaining Representative.
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While it is imprudent to speak numbers before the committee gets together, there are some indicators that will be considered:
A living wage in Canada is estimated anywhere between $23-$27 in 2025.
Our top salary of $31.17 is only about $3 to $4.17 above the living wage in Vancouver.
Depending on your location in the country, our starting wage is approximately $5 to 10$ below a living wage.
The pilots received a cumulative wage increase of nearly 42% over four years.
PENSIONS AND POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS
Anyone hired after July 7, 2011, is not eligible to a defined pension.
Like more than 80% of the membership in Vancouver and about 75% system wide, I do not qualify for defined benefits currently.
Anyone hired after May 1st, 2014, do not qualify for post retirement benefits.
This also represent about 80% of the membership both in Vancouver and system wide.
The pension ceiling is $68000.It is imperative that we focus on raising that number significantly.
Due to the membership being overwhelmingly impacted by wages, pension and post retirement benefits, I am confident that there will be a consensus on those issues at the table.
PROPOSAL MEETINGS
Please do not mistake my focus on wages and pensions as a disregard for other issues. Those are brought to the forefront because of their urgency, and impact on all our members.
When the Bargaining Committee is elected, surveys will be sent. Proposal meetings will be held across the country.
Please make sure that you voice all your concerns: Wages, pensions, pay progression chart shortcomings, Uniform allowance, Dry cleaning, Shift Bid language, Pensions buybacks, Leads premium etc…
Thank you for your time.
In Solidarity and Iron Focus,
Soppo
S.G