The Regional Labour Relation Forums (R-LRF) are set to go for this fall. I have advocated for some form of regional level discussions for some time. They are finally taking place after many delays and obstacles. The first meeting took place in February in the Northern Region and I received positive feed back. In the Western and the Central Region dates have been set, and a tentative date set for Eastern Region.
The gaol of these committees is to empower the Local parties and deal with their issues. This is an opportunity for the Local Presidents, Superintendents, Regional Director, and a member from MERC, to sit down and have some straight forward discussions on issues in our workplace. It’s a chance for the locals to have direct contact with the decision makers and put “Relations” back into “Labour.” If things get bogged down at the local level, we now have an opportunity to start moving the inertia of bureaucracy and use that interest based problem solving we have been told they are interested in using.
At the same time this gives us the opportunity to network and coordinate our efforts. This will benefit the Institutions over time and is important as we head into this round of bargaining.
The conversion (rollover) agreements have been slow to effect changes in the best of cases. In keeping with the spirit of the agreement, vacancies were to be identified and filled by the end of this year. When rollovers have occurred, they are long over due, and very consuming of time and resources. Disclosure has been slow or not forthcoming at most worksites. I have spoken with many Local Presidents and staff and we will be filing a Policy Grievance. Locals like OCI, Sudbury, Stratford, TEDC, have identified vacancies but the employer has not confirmed or shared the BAM’s with the Local. We will continue to chip away on this issue.
Bottom line is we need better language in the collective agreement. Support our bargaining team and let them know this is an important issue.
In Solidarity
Dan Sidsworth
