Teamsters approach negotiations with cautious optimism

Teamsters Canada Rail Conference
News Release

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Late this morning we were advised that the Ontario Northland wishes to resume negotiations.

The Company has called us back to the bargaining table. We will be meeting again Monday Dec 3/2007. Day 65 of our labour dispute.

Fifty intercity Motor Coach Operators serving Highways 11, 101, 144, 69, and 400 between Hearst and Toronto have been on legal strike since Sept 29/2007.

The Motor Coach Operators have been without a contract since August 31/2006 negotiations began in March 2007, and were off and on until September 25/2007 at which point the Canada Industrial Relations Board following the wishes of the Drivers allowed us to change unions. We were officially certified with Teamsters Canada Rail Conference on Sept 25th.

The Motor Coach Drivers have for the past fifteen years had wage freezes, concessions or less than industry standard contracts. We found ourselves in a position where some of us were earning about 4% more on a trip than we were in 1992 for the same trip. Many of us were earning up to 16% less for the same job than we would have 15 years ago. After 5 consecutive years with no salary increases (93-97) we were told in the late 90’s if we did not accept major concessions, the ONTC would close down the bus line as they closed NorOntair and Star Transfer Trucking. The Bus line was in financial trouble; we stepped up to the plate and accepted concessions. Unfortunately this seemed to start a trend. During current negotiations we were given an offer with 0% increases in wages or benefits for three years. The ONTC has moved off of that position, but not enough. We are looking for the same fair and reasonable treatment that other departments at the ONTC & the rest of the intercity bus industry have received over the years

We approach this new round of negotiations with cautious optimism. We were advised earlier this morning by a company officer that banked stat holiday pay which under our collective agreement is automatically paid out on Nov 30 of every year, will not be paid out. Nor would the thirty-five remaining weeks of holiday pay earned in 2006 be paid out to those who still have holidays in the bank. Then a few hours later we are being called back to the negotiation table.

We certainly hope that the ONTC is calling us back to enter serious negotiations, to effectively deal with our outstanding issues so we can resolve this situation. The unity of the drivers is still strong to reach a fair settlement and achieve parity in work rules and salary increases with other work groups on the property. The drivers all want to return to work in order to provide our services to the people of North-eastern Ontario, with the busy Christmas season approaching; we know many people will be counting on our service to reunite them with their loved ones for the holidays.

The rally planned for Sunday Dec 2/07 at 2 pm in North Bay in support of the striking Bus Drivers is going to proceed as scheduled

Thank you

Tony Wentzell
Teamsters Canada Rail Conference
Local Chairperson M.C.S

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