New and Noteworthy (Dec 22, 2015) - TEAM IFPTE Local 161

TEAM MEMO
To: TEAM-IFPTE Local 161 Members
From:      TEAM Office
Date:    December 22, 2015
Re:    New and Noteworthy

Board Reports: The November Board meeting reports have been posted here. The reports include the following updates:

MTS downsizing initiative (Executive Director report) - also see below.
Preparations for negotiations (Executive Director report). Note that negotiations have not yet commenced.
Scholarship Committee Report.

MTS Downsizing: Based on the information provided by members, we can say with confidence that the number of applicants for the voluntary departure program exceeds the target set by MTS. However, as not all applicants are working in the targeted positions, the possibility of MTS initiating layoffs remains. We are aware of members in non-targeted positions who have been accepted under the VRTIP, creating opportunities for the redeployment of members from targeted positions where the quota has not been met. We understand that some redeployments have taken place already.

Should a member decide over the holiday period that they wish to apply for the VRTIP, they can still submit an application (Self-Identification/Voluntary Departure). If you apply for the VRTIP, please click here to notify the TEAM office.

Personal Leave Days and Floating Holiday: As of January 1^st all TEAM members who are Regular Full-Time or Regular Part-Time employees are credited with their 2016 PLD allotment (Article 28) and Floating Holiday (Article 23). In the event a PLD or Floating Holiday request is denied, members should ask for the specific service requirements upon which the denial is based and contact TEAM.

DC Pension: The Unions (TEAM, IBEW and Unifor) jointly submitted a proposal at the December meeting of the DC Pension Committee asking MTS to undertake a review of employer contribution rates across the industry and similar sized employers in Manitoba, as there is strong evidence that MTS’s contribution rates in the first 10 years fall notably short of reported average contribution rates.

Holiday Coverage: The office will be closed between Christmas and New Year. We reopen January 4, 2016. For immediate assistance during the break you may contact the TEAM President, Misty Hughes-Newman at 204-941-5338 or Vice-President, Mike Taylor, at 204-799-8161. We will also be checking our main email account ([email protected]) periodically; all urgent matters will be addressed.

The TEAM and IFPTE office staff wish you and your family the best of the Season and a Happy New Year

New and Noteworthy (Dec 22, 2015) December 22nd 2015