Empty Words From On High
November 2005 Negotiations Update
December 1, 2005
Niagara Falls, Ontario – Negotiations for the early renewal of the Collective Agreement at Zehrs and other banners of Loblaw Companies concluded November 30, 2005. Three days of talks between the Company and representatives of UFCW Local 1977, 175 and 1000A has resulted in some progress.
'The immediate issue facing our members was the announcement by the Company to close five stores,' states newly elected President Scott Penner. 'We have reached an agreement on all five fronts but all issues could not be dealt with this session, talks will have to continue at a later date.'
Discussions have resulted from a complaint filed by Local 1977 at the Ontario Labour Relations Board after the Company announced it would close the Strathroy Zehrs store. It later added Highland Hills, Simcoe, Welland and Colborne Street in Brantford.
According to Secretary-Treasurer Al McLean, the support and solidarity extended between the three Local Unions has helped in the process. 'Working with the three Locals has been a positive experience. Our common needs form the basis of each agreement we reach with Company negotiators.'
The announcement to close Strathroy if they were unable to convert on the same site with the full RCSS agreement came as a shock to many. In mid August a settlement was reached for Strathroy and Highland Hills. It has protected the jobs and rights of every member in those locations as well as of the remaining Local 1977 membership. A similar agreement has just been reached for the Simcoe and Welland stores. According to Company representatives, the initial plan to convert the Colborne location on the same site will no longer occur as they are reconsidering plans for a restructure in Brantford.
Talks will resume in the New Year but in the interim, the Company has agreed that there will be no more announcements of store closures across any of the banners represented by all three Locals until further negotiations have concluded.
What a load of intentionally deceptive gobbledegook:
quote:
According to Secretary-Treasurer Al McLean, the support and solidarity extended between the three Local Unions has helped in the process. 'Working with the three Locals has been a positive experience. Our common needs form the basis of each agreement we reach with Company negotiators.'
Call it what you may Al, Loblaws still calls it group sex.
quote:
Talks will resume in the New Year but in the interim, the Company has agreed that there will be no more announcements of store closures across any of the banners represented by all three Locals until further negotiations have concluded.
Sounds like the employer has agreed to let yer arses heal a bit before they come back for a wee bit more.
I must have missed something - what's the point of continuing negotiations after the fact? Loblaws had it's way with tom, dick, harry, brian, scott, kevin 'n wayne - unless of course the employer promised the boys pillow talk...
UFCW is like the "gift that keeps on giving". And Loblaw is the epitome of greed (they do actually out-wal-mart Wal-Mart).
They live by Arnie's famous words: "I'll be back."
quote:
I must have missed something - what's the point of continuing negotiations after the fact? Loblaws had it's way with tom, dick, harry, brian, scott, kevin 'n wayne - unless of course the employer promised the boys pillow talk...
It sounded to me like they're just taking a break for the holidays. You know, the month of December is party month and why louse things up with negotiations?
They'll be resuming in the new year as they have not yet been able to work out a deal that the Kevin, Wayne and Brian (or Brian's replacement) feels they can put to the membership and escape with their asses intact. Alternatively they may just be waiting for another one of those Communications and Education contributions. If they wait til Xmas, maybe Santa Roy Conliffe will have another $3 million for them.
They have this contract signed, sealed but yet to deliver to the members. They didn't want to ruin thousands of members Christmas holiday(how considerate of UFCW). We'll be shafted in January with their same excuse, we saved jobs. What a bunch of weak morons representing the membership.
