We know we send the same message each week but talks continue and we are getting very close to an agreement on one letter.
Just to be clear we are working on 2 letters. The first letter deals with items such as trying to find work for some of our members now, the 26 weeks of pay (this topic alone branches into so many questions such as who gets the 26 weeks or what percentage of 26 weeks, when is it paid, RRSP options, etc), SUB issues, retirement packages, buyout packages, etc. This letter is mainly between Local 88 and GM. We are also getting help from Unifor National on this. Letter 2 is more about the short-and long-term plan for our plant. Basically, investment talks and this is between both the Federal and Provincial governments, GM, Unifor National and Local 88. Regarding the 2nd letter, talks continue but we need different parties to help everyone come to an agreement. It will take a bit of time.
We are getting very close to having the 1st letter resolved involving our members issues. After a big day yesterday, we are down to a few issues, but they are critical. It is our hope to have an agreement this weekend, but no later than Monday. We hate giving specific dates because all of a sudden, a week goes by. However, we are close, but the issues must get resolved.
We have called our IT guys (Keith and Allan) and they are ready to go for a video on very short notice. We are in Toronto next week from Wednesday until Sunday for GM council, Auto Council and Ontario council – so we hope to be done and have a video done by Tuesday. If not, we will keep meeting while in Toronto, but we just need GM to move on a couple issues, and we can sign off.
Thank you for your patience. We are trying to come up with options for every member to think about and these have taken time for GM to cost out. We are getting very close.
Enjoy your weekends and hopefully next week we are good to proceed.
Master Bargaining Committee