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Unifor ACL BULLETIN 2018 #1
July 25, 2018
DOCTOR’S NOTES :
As negotiated during bargaining in December 2017, the Company stated to the bargaining team that doctor’s notes would only be requested when there was a clear pattern of abuse of article 28.08 (Sickness Absence).
During a corporate meeting with Bell on June 18, 2018 Bell’s lead negotiator during bargaining, Reno Vaillancourt and his team agreed with this interpretation.Also, any fees incurred for Doctors notes required for Short Term Disability claims (STD) will be reimbursed to the member by the company.
COACHING FOR SUCCESS/ROAD MAPPING:
The company rolled out their latest version of “road mapping” to the union June 18, 2018 in Halifax. They are now calling it “Coaching for Success” The revised program is to focus on coaching the employee to improve performance. The Council does not disagree with coaching; however, the company continues to use a “decile” system with coaching which says that there is always 10% of a workgroup which is under performing and requires coaching.
We strongly believe the Company is making a mistake by continuing to use a broken model such as this and will be monitoring its implementation closely.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY:
The company has informed the Council that they will be terminating the Bell Aliant Policy Committee in the Atlantic and operating with one Bell Canada Policy Committee out of Montreal. If this happens it would eliminate the Bell Aliant OH&S Policy Committee. Council is reviewing our options with our National Rep Roch Leblanc and Unifor Legal.
LRO (Limited Retirement Offer):
After reviewing the Company’s figures with respect to their commitment of a 60% replacement rate under the last LRO (2015-2017), The council has found some discrepancies with the data with regards to job postings. We will continue to investigate.
MENTAL HEALTH:
The Council meet with Bell July 23, 2018 to discuss mental health initiatives as was agreed to in MOA – MM (Memorandum of agreement) in the new collective agreement. There will be committee set up to further discuss Mental Health Issues within Bell Canada. More details to follow in the fall.
GRIEVANCES:
There are 233 active grievances.
Your Locals are working through the backlog, but Bell has made a habit of denying grievances which we believe are undeniable violations of our Collective Agreement.The council will continue to push these forwards.
PENSION CONSENT PRIOR TO AGE 55:
The council has filed a Grievance on the issue of the company categorically stating they will not grant consent for early unreduced pensions under the Bell Aliant DB plan provisions.
This was not what we agreed to during negotiations and we will defend our position through the grievance/ arbitration process.
THE NEW COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS ARE IN AND BEING DISTRIBUTED AROUND THE PROVINCES.
Most importantly - contact your shop steward if you believe there are violations of the collective agreement in your workplace.
In Solidarity:
Bobby MacDonald; Steve Howlett; Sandy Brideau; Cullen Bolger;
Faith Chaisson; Susan Rice; Cathy Morrell; Ron Benoit; National Rep Roch LeBlanc