News

By Andrew Steenson, Unit Chair
Published: January 31, 2012
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I am sure you have all received the Company letter dated January 25, 2012, sent out with Rob Comstock’s name attached to it.  I have a great amount of respect for Rob and I am convinced, after reading this letter that his bargaining committee has not given him all the details of what is going on at the table.  Let me clarify some of the statements for you.
 
As previously reported the Union had a very difficult time getting the Company to the bargaining table.  The Union notified the Company of its intent to negotiate on March 4, 2011.  We finally got them to the table on June 21 & 22, 2011.  We listened to the Company’s case for the need for change.  The Company identified the following three (3) challenges:

1) Need to have right number of employees at work
2) Need to schedule right
3) Need to finish job first time

The Union requested information on how the Company currently delivers services to our customers.  The Company did not have this information easily available.  Due to the Union’s request, the Company did provide hundreds of pages of documents during information sharing meetings held September 27, 28, October 25, 26 and November 15, 16, 2011.  Had we not requested these documents, I am sure they would not have been provided.

This information raised the following two issues with the Union:
1) the number of Direct Energy field staff
2) “Overload Contractor” utilization

The Union has requested “full disclosure of all Contractors performing work for Direct Energy” on numerous occasions.  The Company told us on January 6, 2012, they have the list but were only “considering” providing it to us.  We sent an e-mail, requesting the information by 4:30 p.m. on Monday January 16, 2012.  The Company responded they were not prepared to provide this information to the Union.  This information is critical in negotiating shift schedules and hours of work for service field staff.  Since they denied our request we have filed a charge of Bargaining in Bad Faith at the Ontario Labour Relations Board.

On January 20, 2012, the Company—for the first time—raised the urgency to reach an Agreement and that they would make themselves available at any time.  However, it was only on January 18, 2012, that the Company tabled language dealing with their non-monetary proposals.  On January 20, 2012, the Company advised the Union they were going to apply for Conciliation.  We informed them, if they did apply the Union would set up Information Update meetings for our members and would not be able to provide further bargaining dates until these meetings were completed.  The bargaining dates mentioned in the Company’s letter are dates that were already agreed to on January 6, 2012, based on both parties’ availability at that time.

Your Bargaining Committee does not spread inflammatory half-truths!  We will continue to Bargain on your behalf and the members of CEP Local 975’s Direct Energy Unit will continue to provide service to customers.

In Solidarity,

CEP Local 975 Direct Energy Bargaining Committee
Andrew Steenson
Ashely Bellassai
Bob Phillips
Dan Valente
John Wallace
Lou Melo
Michelle Whitelaw
Rodney Hurlbert

Friday February 3rd - Afternoon Shift Meeting
12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Monte Carlo Inn / 8900 Woodbine Ave / Markham

Wednesday February 8th,  2012 - Peterborough
6:00 pm
Comfort Hotel & Suites
1209 Landsdowne St West, Peterborough

 

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