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4. Negotiations Update

TEAM MEMO
To:             All TEAM-IFPTE Local 161 Members
From:        TEAM Office
Date:         July 5, 2013
Re:             Negotiations Update

Negotiations

With the aid of the Federal Mediator, our Negotiating Committee met with the Company for three days this week.  Although we have made progress there are a number of sticking points, including:

• Wages:  Over the proposed three-year agreement we are now only 2% apart.  We firmly believe there is room to move.
   
• Benefits:  We are seeking an increase in the contribution to the Blue Cross Health plan.
   
• Call-out Overtime:  MTS has advised us that at the conclusion of these negotiations it will cease the practice of paying minimum call-out pay for work done remotely.  IBEW, CEP, and CAW all have call-out minimums.
   
• Personal Leave Days:  We have tentatively protected our five PLDs, however MTS still wants us to agree to no PLDs for new employees.  This is a “poison pill”.

Negotiations resume on Monday, July 15^th.

Strike/Lockout

The mediator has reviewed the dates and informed us that the parties will be in a legal strike/lockout position on July 15^th, the same day that we are in negotiations.  We do not anticipate striking or being locked out on July 15^th.

Termination of the Collective Agreement

There has been no change to the July 17^th date that MTS has said it will terminate our Collective Agreement.

What Happens Next

We continue preparing for the worst, while hoping that an agreement is in sight.  Let your Directors and VPs know that a fair and equitable agreement is important to you and “We Will If We Have To”.

Thank you for the strong show of support provided to our Negotiating Committee, it has already made a difference.

TEAM-IFPTE Local 161
204-984-9470 or 1-877-984-9470
[email protected]
www.teamunion.mb.ca
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