On Monday, April 22, 2019, the Union Bargaining Committee commenced arbitration proceedings with the Company to resolve the issues that remain outstanding at the bargaining table.
The parties began with opening statements to brief Arbitrator McNamee and advise him about the issues in dispute.
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The Collective Agreement calls for a mediated binding arbitration process thus the parties, their Legal Counsels and the Arbitrator spent the remainder of the day mediating or trying to find common ground on the areas still in dispute.
The parties have a second arbitration date of May 9th scheduled. It was strongly advised that the parties continue dialogue and work on resolving several of the easier issues.
The parties and the Arbitrator are wanting to have a smaller list of outstanding items when they are back in mediated binding arbitration on May 9th.
Your Union has stressed the importance of timeliness to the Arbitrator as the workers at Menzies are rightfully frustrated and angry at the length of time it is taking for the Company to provide real answers and solutions to the issues that remain outstanding.
To complicate matters, Menzies experienced employees are quitting to work for the competitor; GTA Dnata, as it is currently hiring and paying its employees a living wage of $19/hr.
This arbitration process is the final step in what has been a long drawn out round of Collective Bargaining. Your patience and cooperation is greatly appreciated, as we navigate through this final step of arbitration
In solidarity,
Michael Corrado
General Chairperson
Central Region
