Job Action
Potential for Job Action Between Teamsters 213 and Tree Island
To: All MoveUP members working at Tree Island Industries
On October 7, 2020, the Teamsters Local 213 served the Employer with 72 hours strike notice, and the Employer responded with an amended “Best and Final Offer” that Teamsters agreed to take to the membership for a vote before commencing job action. This voting is to be completed by the morning of October 14, 2020. If the Employer’s final offer is rejected by the Teamsters membership, they will be authorized to commence job action immediately. We need to be prepared for that possibility.
If Teamsters forms a picket line, MoveUP members will not cross that line. It is vital that we remain in solidarity with the Teamsters during their dispute with Tree Island. Not crossing a picket line would include not performing any work normally done on site, that the Employer has assigned to be done remotely (at home). We have very strong Collective Agreement language that protects us in these situations. Article 31.02 reads as follows:
31.02 Right to Refuse to Cross Picket Lines
All Employees covered by this Agreement shall have the right to refuse to cross a picket line arising out of a dispute as defined in the Labour Relations Code of British Columbia, or any successor legislation, without being subject to any discipline or discharge. Employees who exercise their rights under this Clause 31.02 shall be considered to be on leave of absence without pay.
When you support the Teamsters by not crossing their picket line, you will be entitled to picket pay while supporting the line. Your Union leadership has called an emergency Board meeting to have picket pay approved. In anticipation of the Board authorizing picket pay, and the Teamsters potentially taking job action, there is some information that your Union will need:
- Your last three pay stubs;
- Your normal work schedule.
A further bulletin with the detailed information on this will be forthcoming as soon as the picket pay has been approved.
In Solidarity,
Noel Gulbransen, Union Representative
Cindy Henning, Job Steward
Hani Dakkak, Executive Board Member
Christy Slusarenko, Vice-President, Combined Units