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4. Negotiations Update - Notice to Commence

TEAM MEMO
To:          TEAM-IFPTE Local 161 Members
From:      TEAM Office
Date:       January 26, 2016
Re:         Negotiations Update

Today, TEAM-IFPTE Local 161 gave notice to MTS to commence collective bargaining for the purpose of revising and renewing the Collective Agreement.

Why do negotiations matter?

The outcome of these negotiations will directly impact you through your pay, benefits, working conditions, job protection, and fair opportunities to advance your career. The topics TEAM wishes to discuss were presented to the membership at the General Meetings in November. See slides 10 to 15 of the presentation for more details.

Who’s negotiating for us?

TEAM Negotiating Committee:

• Misty Hughes Newman, TEAM President
• Mike Taylor, TEAM Vice President
• Tobias Theobald, TEAM Treasurer
• Steven Holt, TEAM Board Member
• Wesley Emerson, TEAM Labour Relations Officer and our Chief Negotiator

Primary support for the Negotiating Committee:

• Bob Linsdell, TEAM Executive Director
• Dee Gillies, IFPTE International Representative

What happens next?

1. An essential services agreement will be prepared to ensure 911 is not affected in the event there is a work stoppage i.e. strike or lockout.
2. In accordance with the Canada Labour Code, TEAM and MTS negotiating committees will meet within 20 days (unless the parties otherwise agree) to commence negotiations. The parties are required to negotiate in good faith and make all reasonable efforts to reach a Collective Agreement.
3. Proposals will be exchanged at the first negotiating session and dates for future sessions agreed.

How long will it take?

We don’t know. The previous four rounds of negotiations (2004, 2007, 2010 and 2013) have taken between 20 and 35 negotiating days over a seven to twelve month period.

Doesn’t our Collective Agreement end on February 19, 2016?

Although the term of the Collective Agreement ends on February 19, 2016, it remains in full force and effect during the negotiations. It can be terminated, but only after a number of criteria have been met, including the parties made a reasonable effort to negotiate, the Minister of Labour appointed a Conciliation Officer to facilitate the negotiations, and during a “21 day cooling off period” a Mediator further assisted the parties in resolving their differences.

In 2013 we went through the conciliation and mediation processes. We reached a tentative agreement on July 16, 2013, and the Collective Agreement remained in force throughout.

How can I help?

• Become a Communication Action Representative, the main contact person in your area and the “first in the know”. Click here for more information and to apply.
• Share your ideas and thoughts on the items being negotiated with the TEAM office.

TEAM-IFPTE Local 161
204-984-9470 or 1-877-984-9470
[email protected]
www.teamunion.mb.ca
twitter.com/teamunion161
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