seven-o-seven seven-o-seven REPORTER - CAW Local 707

Greetings!
Here is an update from the skilled
trades’ arbitration hearing held June 28,
2011. It deals with the preliminary objection
raised by the company that Local
707 abandoned the “catch-all” grievance
in 2007. The union is attempting to keep
this grievance alive. At the conclusion
of evidence presented by the union, the
company unexpectedly requested one of
its witnesses be allowed to return to the
stand. Surprisingly, the arbitrator agreed
to this and consequently the company’s
witness shall give additional evidence,
resulting in yet another delay. Once
this “final” witness is finished, we will
present closing arguments and await the
arbitrator’s ruling, which should occur
fairly quickly. The next step will be the
procurement of dates commencing with
the “Hunter” grievance which is a more
particularized one with respect to work
carried out by contractors under the 2004
Flexible Manufacturing Agreement.
2008 Appendix ‘T’
Relief Window
On May 13th, the union was given 30
days’ notification by the company to create
a 2008 Appendix ‘T’ Relief Window
for work in Final during the summer
shutdown period. It was the company’s
intention to utilize outside contractors
in Final on the holiday weekend – not
fully using our skilled trades, but instead
Page 8 – July – September 2011
Skilled Trades Chairperson’s Report
By Gary Ensell
Three Skilled Trades
Arbitration Cases
match them on a one to one basis. This
prompted further discussions with Oakville’s
management and VO people from
Detroit and as a result of these meetings;
we were able to persuade management
to provide work opportunities for all
skilled trades for time that included the
long weekend. Additionally, Appendix
‘T’ full utilization was provided to pipefitters
and tinsmiths with other meetings
leading to VO and management’s agreement
to utilize Ford skilled trades during
the Monday to Friday period of Jun 20th
and 27th. This additional labour created
work opportunities under Appendix ‘M’
for skilled trades in various departments.
The 2008 Appendix ‘T’ Relief Window
language can be found on page 24
of Exhibit B
V229 Body Shop Demolition
During the summer shutdown period,
the heavy demolition equipment commenced
work in the old V229 Body Shop.
The demolition is expected to take up to
three months. As previously reported,
the old V229 Body Shop has been split
into five zones and the demolition will
move from zone to zone. Discussions are
taking place with the company to identify
work that can be performed by the
skilled trades in the completed zones.
Retirement Incentives
During meetings with the company
376 Iroquois Shore Road, Oakville, Ontario
on skilled trades’ numbers for Oakville,
the company stated there is currently
an excess capacity of mechanical trade
classifications by some 10–12 people. A
canvass was requested and conducted to
allow skilled trades in the 55 and 10 category
and for those in regular retirement
categories to identify their intent to retire.
There have been and will continue to
be meetings with union representatives
of St. Thomas, members of the National
Union, the COB staff, and myself on the
St. Thomas global incentives reached in
2009 during Local 1520’s negotiations.
The next meeting is scheduled for August
16th at COB.
Ford Council
At the recent Ford Council, there were
interesting discussions about the state of
the auto industry in North America and
the possible negative impact the 2011
UAW/Big Three bargaining may have
on our 2012 CAW/Big Three bargaining.
During this Ford Council meeting,
I received an acclamation on the Ford
Council Executive Board and was asked
to chair the CAW Ford Skilled Trades
Chairperson’s Master Bargaining Committee
– a duty I accepted.
Skilled Trades’ Start Times
At the January 2011 Local 707 skilled
trades’ meeting, discussions took place
regarding start times that were changed
quite some time ago with a previous
skilled trades’ chair. I gave my commitment
to the skilled trades at the meeting
to discuss the issues with management
and attempt to revert to the original 7:00
a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – 11 p.m. start times.
The company was opposed to this and
claimed that the previous agreement
with the union must continue. Long story
short: Skilled trades have reverted to the
original 7:00 – 3:00 – 11:00 start times.
In Solidarity,
Gary Ensell
Skilled Trades Chair
(905) 845-2511 ext 3352
gensell@ford.com