Members
Posted: 12-Jul-11
For the most part, the daily running of the Regional Council and all the various entities within it functions smoothly and without too many surprises.
Like any organization we have our challenges, and we have both good days and bad. Routine one might say, in some ways, yes, but there are always idiosyncrasies one might not normally consider in the course of a day.
However of late, we have become embroiled in a Labour dispute that squarely takes us back to our roots, and is essentially the cause as to why we all came together in the first instance.
You see, back last fall, our organizers in Calgary organized the workers of Peri Formwork Systems, Inc. Yes, the same company we have a good working relationship with in the field. Peri’s yard, although small, has approximately 20 workers on any given day.
The certification process successfully met all the various requirements under the Alberta Labour Relations Code. In February, we sat down to bargain with the company in an attempt to negotiate a first collective agreement for these workers.
Peri, in their infinite wisdom, hired a known employer-side lawyer who has a reputation for driving a hard bargain, to negotiate on their behalf. After some initial progress, the talks stalled and an impasse was reached. This company, which already has a UBC-organized yard in Bolton, Ontario, demanded an open shop agreement, wherein some workers would be in the union and some not. They also wanted the ability to bring in casual workers when they deemed it necessary and they wanted zero wage increases for the foreseeable future.
These were some of the hot issues, however many others also are unresolved.
As a result of the intransigence of this employer to negotiate a fair and equitable collective agreement, the workers in this bargaining unit voted for strike action. On July 4th, we went on a legal strike against Peri. There is 100% support from the employees and the picket lines are organized, disciplined and effective.
Please join your Brothers and Sisters at 29 Industry Way, Calgary SE. Picketing goes 24 hours around the clock.
An attack against one, is an attack against all !
