Last week, the union met with the company in our second round of bargaining.  Additionally, Dean Prevost (President, Allstream) joined us for a comprehensive review of the business noting the hard work of our membership and the reasonable position that our membership voted for during our last contract.  However, after two sessions at the negotiating table, very little meaningful progress has been made.  As such, the union has filed for conciliation with the Federal Minister of Labour.

Many of you will recall that this same process was required during our last several rounds of collective bargaining.  To recap, a conciliation officer will be appointed by the Labour Board to assist as negotiations continue.  It will take several weeks for the Board to appoint a conciliation officer.  In the meantime, the union will continue to meet with the company and work towards a fair contract which recognizes the significant contributions our members have made towards the progress that Allstream has made.

Our union is willing to continue working at the bargaining table, but conciliation is also a mechanism that provides a definitive timeline for negotiations.

In meeting with our members over the past several months, the message we are hearing is clear:  It’s time for the company to recognize the contributions that members of our union make day after day.  It’s time that we are fairly compensated.  Our members have done our part.  It’s time that the company does it’s part to reciprocate on the hard work and goodwill that our membership has shown.

In Solidarity,

Dylan Gadwa
President – CAW Local 2000