Mitch Cronin Posted February 21, 2004 Share Posted February 21, 2004 The times... they are a changin' February 20, 2004 Bulletin # 59 An open forum In Restructuring Bulletin #57, we said we wanted to conduct our negotiations with our unions in an open forum and many of you have asked what that actually means. It is clear that our industry is in the midst of tremendous upheaval and change. All over the world, legacy carriers like Air Canada are struggling with change, financial losses, and the encroachment of nimble low cost carriers who generally benefit from positive company/employee relations. In fact, a key aspect of their existence is open, direct and transparent communication of the issues facing both parties. As Air Canada moves through the CCAA process and looks to the future, we feel it’s time to change the way we’ve traditionally done business with our employees and unions. We are comfortable sharing our positions on all issues directly with employees and call upon our unions to adopt the same approach. We firmly believe it will be to the benefit of our employees and all our stakeholders. While it’s a real departure from the past, and may take some adjustment, we would propose conducting negotiations in an open manner, perhaps at venues where employees could be observers. Alternately, we could consider broadcasting negotiations to employees via the internet. Legacy carriers around the world are seeking ways to change the dynamic of employee/company relations. At Air Canada, we feel that openness and candour would be a good first step and now is the time to start. We would welcome your ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest James Posted February 21, 2004 Share Posted February 21, 2004 What an amazing philosophy, for management to work "with" employees, instead of against them. God, what a breakthrough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Starman Posted February 21, 2004 Share Posted February 21, 2004 One "good Idea" would be for management to honour the spirit and the letter of the agreements they have already signed... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongTimer V Posted February 21, 2004 Share Posted February 21, 2004 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Hudson Posted February 21, 2004 Share Posted February 21, 2004 No, not Six Sigma, its from Toczynski and Levitt, 1993. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WA777 Posted February 21, 2004 Share Posted February 21, 2004 Agreed...unless and until their word means something...it is a useless exercise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Hudson Posted February 21, 2004 Share Posted February 21, 2004 No Longtimer, its not Six Sigma, its straight from Toczynski and Levitt, 1993. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HPT-TOUR Posted February 21, 2004 Share Posted February 21, 2004 777, do you have any idea how idiotic you sound? an acpa pilot talking about honoring their commitments...........about renegging on agreement`s, stop the snivelling will ya, what goes around comes around. Looks like managment is just using a page from the acpa handbook. Have a nice weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neo Posted February 22, 2004 Share Posted February 22, 2004 I'd have no time for a move like this from the employer if our unions would start behaving like democratic organizations rather than political dictatorships. Without consulting the membership once, my own union in just the past year has: - told the employer to declare bankruptcy before they would negotiate. (March, 2003) - negotiated a tentative agreement under CCAA without once asking pilots what they wanted. (June 2003) - refused to meet with ALPA-JAZZ prior to CCAA negotiations. (May 2003) - refused to discuss pension modifications with the employer. (January 2004) - refused to continue negotiations with the employer on B747 acquisitions and cargo operations. (January 2004) The pilots of ACPA were never asked what they wanted from their union on any of these matters, even though the issues are of great concern to everyone. This list is not exhaustive, just from immediate memory. In all likelihood, the unions representing other employees behave in much the same way. When extraordinary and unexpected events happen it is crucial for democratic organizations to seek a mandate from their members on what action is desired. If the leadership of a union acts without that mandate, they do not deserve the protection that labor laws afford. The unions at Air Canada, including ACPA, need shaking up in the worst way because they have long since stopped acting democratically in any meaningful way. I welcome the company's initiative. Maybe it will wake up the unions and get them to start doing what they're supposed to do: listen to their memberships. By the way, ACPA actually did hold a vote on one of the choices facing it last year. They let the membership decide if the union would purchase office space or just continue to lease. (March 2003) Don't you just feel empowered? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groundeffect Posted February 22, 2004 Share Posted February 22, 2004 hoooo boy! Do u know how u 'sound' getta grip bbye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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