Excel Transport Bargaining Update #1

May 26, 2021

EXCEL BARGAINING UPDATE

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Your USW Local 1-2017 Bargaining Committee met with the Employer on Thursday, May 20, 2021 and Tuesday, May 25, 2021, with the intended goal to renew the Collective Agreement, which expired April 30, 2021.

Both the Employer and the Union presented and reviewed each of the proposals.  Despite a willingness from both parties to reach an acceptable deal, it became clear that recent changes to Labour Standards would prove to be an issue. 

Amendments were made to the Labour Code, Section 3, Hours of Work and Overtime. The current Collective Agreement states that drivers are not eligible for overtime unless working beyond eleven (11) hours in a day.  The new legislation now holds that renewed agreements must meet or exceed the new legislation; which states drivers are to be paid overtime beyond nine (9) hours of work.  The Bargaining Committee is of the belief that the Collective Agreement is not in line with the new legislation, and the Employer’s position is that the Collective Agreement does meet the new legislation.  Currently both the Employer and the Local Union are seeking legal clarification, as to whether the current Collective Agreement meets or exceeds the new Labour standard.

The Bargaining Committee made it very clear that, they would not come to an agreement, that was substandard to the new legislation.

The Bargaining Committee will advise the membership when negotiations are set to resume.

If there are questions from the membership please contact via e-mail at brad@usw1-2017.ca.

Sincerely,

Brad Mores

On behalf of the USW Bargaining Committee.