January 23, 2009
News release
Serco's Labour relations record at 5 Wing Goose Bay
Goose Bay – Going on strike in Labrador in January is not something anyone wants to do, but the 325 members of PSAC's Union of National Defence Employees Local 90125 felt they had no choice.
Local president Bernie Bolger expressed his frustration with the bargaining process over the past nine months, saying, "We can't get Serco to come to the table for serious negotiations."
Serco is the multinational corporation contracted by the federal government to provide services at the civilian and military airports at Canadian Forces Base Goose Bay, Labrador. The company's contract extends until 2014 and it will be paid fully during the strike.
During 2008, instead of meeting with the union to negotiate a contract, the company devised a strategy of stalling and using legal tactics to delay and frustrate the bargaining process.
Union members are mystified by Serco's approach to labour relations. Who loses if a new agreement is stalled or if workers go on strike? It won't be Serco, as their cheques from the federal government keep on coming, strike or no strike.
The company has budgeted for improvements to our contract and expects to pay more for work done by us over the coming years. At the same time, however, the company is promising shareholders that it will raise revenues and improve share value.
Is there an accountant at head office in England who has figured out that by forcing Labrador workers to strike, they can improve their bottom line for 2008/09?
Workers at 5 Wing Goose Bay sacrificed enough when the government decided to "outsource" services to a private company.
Now we want that contractor to get serious and negotiate with us.
We are not asking for anything more than a fair contract.
Please visit our website at: http://undestrike.com
Contact Persons:
Graham Moorhouse 1-709-897-7913
Bernie Bolger 1-709-896-7694
05-230109
Date Modified : 2010/01/29
