CAW Local 229 Strike On Going : Thunderbay IMC

Members of CAW local 229 have been on strike since Monday April 11th. CAW local 229 represents maintenance, housekeeping, shipping/receiving and grounds keeping workers at Lakehead University, which constitutes roughly 60 jobs. The union members had been operating without a contract since June of 2004, and negotiations had been progressing well until a few weeks ago when an impasse was reached and talks broke down.

This dispute arose surrounding "new language" which was introduced into contract talks by the University. This language would give the University the option of contracting-out certain jobs to non-union members as recently vacated positions became available due to retirements, resignations and other forms of job termination. Both sides agree that what is at issue does not involve money, wages, or, job performance but rather centers around the administration’s desire to have increased control of the hiring process.

Eleanor Abaya, spokeswoman for the University states "it is no secret that the University is facing a large debt. In addition we are facing a deferred maintenance issue." Abaya claims what is at stake for the University is a matter of flexibility and control. The language in question was introduced in order to give the University the option to contract-out only certain positions, as they become available, depending on position and assignment. The dispute, according to Abaya, does not involve salaries, job performance or current jobs. She stressed the point that under the current contract language nobody is losing their job. The concern for the University rather, is one of cost savings and operational efficiencies. Contracting-out jobs helps the University by increasing cost efficiency options, said Abaya. She went on to say that "Lakehead University has always had positive relations with unions. Organized labour is important to Thunder Bay, we must look at our priorities and both sides need to work together." When asked about negotiations Abaya stated that as of April 6th the Union rejected all offers that did not include the removal of the language concerning the contracting-out of jobs and walked away from the table. The University responded by offering a limitation to the contract, which stipulated that the language concerning the outsourcing of jobs would only apply to house keeping. This offer, according to Abaya, was flatly rejected by the union, after which, talks broke down.

CAW local 229, agrees with the University that the main issue in this dispute centers around the University’s desire to increase control. However, what is really being tabled, according to the union, is a thinly veiled attempt by the University to break their union through attrition. The fear is that the contracting-out language which has been tabled will result in all vacated positions being filled by non-union members. This will result in reduced bargaining power for the union in the future. What’s more, contracted workers would not be entitled to the benefits of the collective agreement including; medical benefits, wages, job security and so on. Union members also expressed a fear that the university is "making a clear attempt to take their jobs", as well as a concern that once through with them, this type of activity would spread to other unions on campus. They acknowledge that at present current jobs are not at stake, but warn that the decreased bargaining power, which w ould result from outsourcing, could result in jobs presently held by union members coming under attack in future contract negotiations. According to union members, negotiations had been going well when "without notice and midway through the bargaining" the L.U. representative previously in charge of bargaining "was no longer employed by the university". At this point, union representatives claim, Mike Pawlowski, University VP began attending the negotiations and "pushed the contract-out / job posting language." The union holds that the university has refused to table any bargains that do not include the contracting-out language and threatened they would cease negotiations if the union did not accept their proposal.

When talking with union members, many expressed the opinion that they had no intention of forcing undue hardship upon students during the difficult exam period, but, felt the university had left them with no other avenue for recourse. One union member suggested that talks of "shutting down the university"(as reported by other news sources) were nothing more than bravado during the negotiation period, and pointed to the fact that since action has taken place no such attempts have been made. When asked about the delays at the picket lines union members said, that most cars take only 15-20 seconds to pass (longer if they wish to talk), however, they do acknowledge that longer delays have occurred. Yet, the picketers stress that they are only trying to get their position on this important matter heard by those accessing the university. When asked for comment, custodian Rob Nahachewsky stated; "It has been a de-humanizing experience having to walk back and forward on a piece of pa vement, trying to convey to students the importance of what is going on."

Other strikers stressed the significance of the close family relationship union members have with the Lakehead community. One union member related a story of how one of the custodians had built a bench, using his own time and money, for donation to a student fund-raising operation in the L.U. bookstore. Others spoke of helping students to find jobs and apartments during their time at the university. Another custodian remembered a time that she took a student to the hospital for kidney problems during her off hours. They still keep in phone contact and she considers the student as "part of the family". This union member has been working at the university for 13 years and there is general fear among the strikers, that if the out-sourcing of jobs is allowed to occur it will result in irreparable damage to the community atmosphere that Lakehead prides itself on representing. The concern is that contract workers will have neither the time nor the motivation to develop the close pe rsonal connection that many of the unionized workers have with the students and the university community in general.

A safe and secure learning environment calls for a functioning network well beyond simple classroom spending. Gary Langen, millwright/maintenance, has been working at Lakehead University for 15 years and raises questions about the security impact, out-sourcing jobs would have on the Lakehead community "when you have workers that have access to student residences, parents want to know that they can be trusted." Gary was born in Thunder Bay, coaches hockey, and is involved in the community. Contract workers often come from out of town and have no long term connection with the community or University. What’s more, the attitude, pride and commitment of in-house staff results in a much higher quality of work. One union member was quoted as saying "you hate to think that on your first day of employment you have gone as far as you can go in the organization." Another points out that he "could make more money in the community as a general contractor but likes his job and the L.U. env ironment." Further shock and concern was expressed at the idea that such a situation is going on at a "supposed" institution of higher learning. Maintinence worker, Terry Lamminmaci, makes the point that "the University is supposed to promote higher education, what kind of message are they sending the students they train, when they turn around and higher less educated contract workers instead of more qualified professionals." What does this say for the future of the Thunder Bay community where secure well paying jobs are becoming increasingly difficult to find. Such proposals are regressive and create setbacks in the type of security unions have been fighting for, for generations. As one striker succinctly put it "those who fail to learn from the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it." Finally, some workers feel it is important to stress that while work load has increased dramatically the number of workers in some areas has actually decreased. Mr. Lamminmaci says "in the last 20 years 39 buildings and additions have been added to the Lakehead campus, but, the number of full-time maintinence staff has actually decreased. Meanwhile the new ATAC building covers 99,000 square feet and has only three custodians".

So how has all of this come about? The university maintains that the union members chose to strike out of a stubborn refusal to continue reasonable negotiations. However, some workers tell a much different story. These workers claim, they arrived at work on Sunday April 10th , for the midnight shift only to discover that the university had called in contract workers to do their jobs. At this point no strike had been called and workers expressed shock that such a situation had occurred. According to reports, Services supervisor, Jim Squier, was present and workers asked him "what’s going on." Apparently, Jim replied that a strike had been "rumored" for midnight and so the university had called in replacement staff. The workers held a meeting in which many expressed shock and amazement at what was going on. Mr. Squier reportedly, told workers that "it was business as usual" and sent the contract workers back to residence, where they are apparently being housed during the strike. At 2:15 am one work reports seeing the supervisor for Bee-Clean (the company hired to replace union workers during the strike) in the Agora. He apparently expressed his apologies and stated that he had received a call on Friday, April 8th , before any strike had been called, to have 20 replacement workers ready for Sunday. Many union members feel that this incident may have been a move by the university to pressure them into striking. At any rate the strike began officially on Monday and is still going on with no immediate signs of resumed negotiation.

The general response from students and the public has been good according to union members. Although, there have been a couple of negative incidents, in which impatient drivers have run into strikers with their cars, no serious injuries have resulted. Some union members maintain concerns that some students view unions as evil and do not realize that the well being of students and the community is as much at issue as job security. Union workers make between $16 and $20 an hour where as contract workers can make as low as $8 an hour. The argument made by union members is that this will result in a negative impact for all those involved, including students, since lower wages will mean a poorer quality of work and a loss of secure "living wage" jobs that will effect the community at large. When reached for comment, LUSU president Graham Strickert said that LUSU has adopted a position of neutrality concerning the strike. Graham outlines that LUSU is "in a conundrum" regarding the strike, in that they, "wish to demonstrate solidarity with CAW and other unions, but, must place student interests first. As Graham explains, the position of neutrality allows LUSU to communicate with both sides and ensures students have access to sound information. It is in this sense that Graham states; "we crossed the picket with respect for CAW and other unions."

The Union members have expressed thanks for all forms of support, from unions, students and the public. Most have been congenial, some stopping to chat and some even stopping to bring food and beverages, to which the strikers expressed much thanks. I am a student at Lakehead University, in writing this article I was pleased to discover that all sides are very approachable and willing to outline their positions for any who are interested. This is an important issue, one that will impact the lives, not just of those on strike and their families, but all of us living in Thunder Bay. Get involved, contact both sides and find out for yourself what is going on, then offer what ever support you can. We all have a responsibility as members of this community to take action, get informed and offer support for those in need.

WEBSITE LINKS:

Canadian Auto Workers - Local 229

http://www.caw229.com/index1.htm

Bee Clean Building Maintenance

http://www.bee-clean.com/

Winnipeg Phone: (204)-608-4420

Thunder Bay Phone: (807)-346-4792

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Michael Pawlowski - Lakehead University Vice President

michael.pawlowski@lakeheadu.ca

http://www.lakeheadu.ca/about/bios.php?id=10

Eleanor Abaya - Director, Communications, Lakehead University

Phone: 343-8372 or 472-9110

Jim Squier -Services Supervisor

http://physplant.lakeheadu.ca/staff/jsquier.htm

NEWS ARTICLES:

APRIL 4, 2005

Facts Regarding Potential Strike Action by CAW Local 229

http://communications.lakeheadu.ca/news/?id=151