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In April 2003, the IBEW Journal reported on the long fight
waged by members of IBEW Local 2228, employed by Nav Canada,
the privatized air traffic control system in Canada, for a
fair contract ("Cloudy Skies for Nav Canada Workers,"
IBEW Journal, April
2003, pp. 10-15). Below, in English and French, is a report
from Local
2228 press secretary Dan Weber on the arbitration decision
that concluded the long struggle:
"After 3
1/2 years without a contract and with no apparent opportunity
for fair bargaining we were given little alternative but to
agree to binding arbitration.
"The day
of decision finally arrived on the 21st of April [2004] when
the Board of Arbitration delivered its majority decision.
The board chair and the companys nominee formed the majority.
The unions nominee dissented. Our members reacted with shock
and disbelief. They could not believe that all the members
of this panel did not hear our presentation.
"The decision
stipulates a 13.25% increase over a 5-year contract and provided
for increases in travel, standby, shift and weekend premiums
as well as technical certification premiums.
"In a balanced
workplace, this award would have been well accepted by the
membership. With one notable exception to date, it conforms
to awards given to other bargaining units in terms of wage
increases. The problem our members have with this decision
is that Nav Canada is most certainly not a balanced workplace.
Our members have fallen dramatically behind other groups within
the company and compare very poorly with electronics technologists
in other industries.
"This was
not a good decision for Nav Canada, or the union. We have
lived through years of working in a poisoned work environment
with little trust apparent from either perspective. This decision
is likely to prolong the pain.
"In approximately
one year, we will again be at the bargaining table, working
once more towards a fair settlement. We urge all members to
play a stronger role in their union." |
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