As negotiations continue to sour between Candu Energy and the union representing its workers, the Society of Professional Engineers and Associates said Wednesday that its members would refuse overtime and may strike.In a press release, the union said it “has given notice to SNC-Lavalin and the Canada Labour Board that it may respond to SNC-Lavalin action through strike activity or other legal actions to protect the interests of its members.” An earlier announcement reported 94 percent of SPEA members had voted to authorize a strike, citing concessions and pension changes sought by the company. According to SPEA, the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada and the Canadian Auto Workers union have each pledged $1 million to the nuclear union should that happen.Candu designed Canada’s fleet of commercial heavy water reactors. The company was previously part of state-controlled Atomic Energy of Canada Limited before AECL licensed its Candu reactor designs and sold its marketing business to SNC-Lavalin last October. At that time the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported that 800 to 900 layoffs would result.According to its website, SPEA represents more than 900 engineers and scientists employed by Candu, in addition to 300 tradesmen.
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It appears to be a Cold war in words at this time. SNC is daring the Employees to strike & tightening the screws. It remains to be seen whether SPEA will put their money where their mouths are!
Rest assured Spea WILL put their money where their mouths are!!
It appears that the Management has something up its sleeve in case of strike. This may include recalling some of the Retirees with necessary expertise in the required areas. Hence the tough stance from the management.
SPEA needs to wake up. A new day has dawned in Canada, and it's not pro-union.
SPEA is no longer negotiating with the federal government. They are negotiating with a private company; one that exists for the sake of making money. If SNC can't reach an agreement that allows them to be profitable, they won't agree to anythign else. The status quo is not an option.
SPEA should look at PSAC. They are days away from signing a new collective agreement with Lavalin. No threats of strikes or lock-outs were required at all. Just common sense on both sides.
If PSAC can reach an agreement where SPEA can't, I would tend to lay the blame on SPEA, not Lavalin.
If PSAC can reach an agreement where SPEA can't, maybe it's because PSAC is a huge union, with locals across the country. They have extensive bargaining experience, know how to handle themselves, and know what can reasonably be achieved.
In comparison, SPEA look like a bunch of amateurs; engineers by day, dressing up as union leaders at night. If I were a union member at Candu Energy, I would have a lot more confidence in my union if they were backed by a national PSAC than a local SPEA.
Don't be to sure about the PSAC agreement yet. So far our members have seen nothing in writing and from what we heared so far the company is still changing things as they are writing it. I would urge PSAC members to be very carefull in accepting any agreement. Read it word for word before you agree to anything. CANDU ENERGY can not be trusted with writing our collective agreement.
At least SPEA is putting up a fight for better working conditions and benefits. Not like our union who is just accepting whatever the company is giving us. I think we should support SPEA in their fight.
Candu is going to crush SPEA they are dead in the water...!!!
Unfortunately, this is no longer a negotiation but a piszing contest. White and Ivanco need to step aside and give way to a professional negotiator while the negotiating team for Candu quit pretending they know what they're doing. Both sides need outsiders as negotiators who are more objective and not get personal.
SNC has its fingers in all areas unlike AECL which was dedicated to CANDU Nuclear Reactors.Also SPEA has <10% of the expertise from AECL days due to retirements.SNC seems to be in strong bargaining position, if a Mediator is appointed. SNC will tighten the noose further just like Harper's govt. is doing now.
Harper will not help SNC end the strike if there is one. He want Ontario to be as messy as it can be.
And the longer a strike goes, the better it is for SNC. The work backlog is low right now, and there are enough contractors on hand to get the critical commercial work done. Every week SPEA is on strike, they will lose 2% of their pay, and they will never make that up through bargaining!
The SPEA executives know they are in trouble. They have told their members to not work overtime, and have already begun threatening them to enforce it. If you do OT, you are scab labour!
After getting a 94% mandate, they would only start using threats against their own members if they think their support is weak. It may well be.
I don't do site work, and have never gotton double-OT. Why should I give up my 1.5 x OT and baked time to defend a handful of site guys and their 2 x OT?
How will SPEA know if I work OT anyway? Snitches?
