Sunday 10 June 2007

From the President

Just a quick note to fill you in since the A4 announcement. Some of the Executive had a chance to meet with Ron Buchhorn after the Business Review last Friday. I asked to meet with Ron specifically to talk about severances for the 101 affected people that will be laid off come September 1st. He stated they will offer severances according to our collective agreement (meaning when they announce it permanent or your recall rights run out). But he also put some alternative options on the table for our consideration. The Exec. will be meeting Monday night and we will be discussing some of these possibilities and make a full report to the membership at the General Meeting on the 18th. We will also be discussing and voting on the adoption of the Caucus Rules of Order for the next set of negotiations in 2008 at the General Meeting. It is important that as many of you as possible try to attend and take part in this discussion.

Please remember the 2 Special Meetings also on the 18th. to discuss and vote on the implementation of the 40 HR Work Week. We can only deal with the issue at hand (40 HR Work Week) at these meetings. We will be holding the General Meeting right after the 7PM special meeting.

I know these times are hard on all of us, but please try to remain safe on the job and look out for yourself and your work mates.

Pete