Negotiations Update - MTS Files for Conciliation March 24th 2016

TEAM MEMO
To:          TEAM-IFPTE Local 161 Members
From:      TEAM Office
Date:       March 24, 2016
Re:         URGENT - MTS ONCE AGAIN FILES FOR CONCILIATION PREMATURELY


We are very disappointed to have to report that new leadership has not brought an improvement in the Company’s negotiating strategy.  If anything it’s made it worse!

In 2013 the Company managed to negotiate with us for 14 days before claiming we had reached an impasse.  This time, they have only managed eight.  Yesterday, MTS once again applied for the assistance of a Conciliator to reach an agreement with TEAM.  We have been willing to identify issues that negatively impact our members and their careers, and in good faith, attempt to work out resolutions that we both can accept and capture in the Collective Agreement.

As requesting a conciliator starts a process that can ultimately lead to a strike or lockout, we are very concerned that the new leadership wants to put us on exactly the same path as Aliant.
 
We will be discussing all options, including whether MTS is bargaining in good faith and if we can ask the Conciliator to hold off until we have at least put monetary items on the table.  We will keep you informed.


TEAM-IFPTE Local 161
204-984-9470 or 1-877-984-9470
[email protected]
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