Friday, January 19, 2007

Concessions Are Not The Answer! Support COPE 343

The strike by COPE 343 against First Ontario Credit Union in Hamilton is entering its fourth month with no resolution in sight.
The employer's concessionary demands include:

-THE ELIMINATION OF POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS
-THE ELIMINATION OF MONTHLY SICK LEAVE CREDITS AND BANKED SICK LEAVE
-REDUCED VACATION TIME AND ELIMINATION OF VACATION BONUS
-ELIMINATION OF TWO PAID HOLIDAYS
-REDUCTION IN PENSION FOR NEW EMPLOYEES
-THE RIGHT TO DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF PART-TIME EMPLOYEES

Apparently, management has taken the unusually cruel step of cutting off sick leave benefits for employees who were using the benefits prior to the labour dispute.

Also, contrary to its own by-laws, the credit union postponed its annual general meeting with the help of the Ontario Ministry of Finance. By doing this, management will not have to face members of the credit union upset with how management has treated union members. And they say the state is a neutral umpire in labour relations...