That companies are
demanding massive concessions unheard of in our Union’s proud
history?
Just
Say "No" To Concessions
Brothers and Sisters, your Union is currently in negotiations to
renew collective agreements in the forest industry. Companies are
demanding massive concessions unheard of in our Union’s proud
history. The concessions demanded are unjustified and shortsighted;
the resultant effect, if given into, is to weaken your Union and to
squeeze more work from members for less pay and benefits and without
any guarantee of job security. We cannot give into these baseless
demands. The need for Union solidarity has never been greater!
1. Concessions do not save jobs because they do not fix the
company’s root problem – concessions cannot change the economic
landscape! They cannot change the supply or demand of lumber nor can
they change the value of the Canadian dollar!
2. Companies will not guarantee to you that you will not lose
your job! If a company is already financially weak, concessions will
make no difference. If a company is financially healthy, it needs no
concessions!
3. Concessions have already been forced upon us through lay-offs,
work share, and down time. If that is not enough, then further
concessions to wages and benefits will not save jobs! It will only
lessen your yearly income.
4. Our members did not create the economic problems facing
companies; they cannot be solved by demanding concessions from us!
Companies cannot pin the blame for the economic downturn on our
members - especially when the economy is turning for the better!
5. What happens after the markets turn? When business picks up
again the companies will not share in their profits with our members
- but they will have our concessions if we agree to them – which
means more profits for them. Housing starts are up in the U.S.,
Canfor earned over $10 million dollars profit last quarter (2nd
quarter) and the Bank of Canada has said that the recession is over
in Canada – Why do these Companies still need concessions? They
don’t!!
6. Companies have always looked to the bottom line – profits. To
make more profits they are looking to squeeze all that they can from
workers through concessions. That is their bottom line that we
cannot agree with at all!
7. We may not see these same wages and benefits for many years,
if ever, if we agree to concessions. Through Union solidarity we
have achieved many gains (good wages, medical, dental, hours of
work, etc.) that we have fought so hard for over the past decades.
We cannot take these gains for granted and give them up.
8. The cost of living keeps rising, but now the companies want us
to reduce our standard of living through concessions so that the
company, their shareholders, directors and officers can reap more
profits!
9. Companies have not stopped technological change that gets rid
of many of your jobs. With the money saved from concessions, we may
be facing more technological change and more job losses--- with no
severance pay!!!
10. Fear tactics will not work on us! Companies must listen to
our demands. It is us who give value to the companies’ products.
Remember that story our employees are our most valuable resources??
Labour is the most important resource that companies have. Wages and
benefits that keep up with the cost of living, without any
concessions, is a just and reasonable demand!
[top]
Remember
that these companies said they would invest in our mills during 2003
negotiations?