Component 10 - Highways: Bargaining Update

To: Component 10 – Highways Maintenance Members
Re: Extension of Road and Bridge Maintenance Contracts

Officers of the Operational Services Component and senior staff met with principals of the Roadbuilders Association, Highways Maintenance Division Labour Relations Committee to determine if the maintenance contractors are interested in pursuing the initiative of the component, authorized by motion of the Highways Bargaining Council, to pursue longer term collective agreements if they can manage extensions of their maintenance contracts with the province of BC.

The union outlined several issues that we believe should be pursued at a sectoral table, including wages, term, benefits and additional regular positions. We also identified the need for local tables to negotiate local issues and suggested a timetable for doing so.

Employer representatives show some interest in this approach but need to get a mandate from their members in the highways maintenance division. They do not anticipate unanimity amongst their members but believe our motion may have merit if it can assure labour peace for the duration of the maintenance contracts by renewing or extending collective agreements with terms acceptable to both parties.

The union and the employer understand the interest of the province in improving service to the motoring public and demonstrating good value to the taxpayer.

In the meantime, all maintenance areas will be taking a business as usual approach, serving notice to bargain as collective agreements near their expiry dates, preparing packages of proposals and commencing bargaining in each contract area. We have suggested some pooling of these tables where one company has more than one contract area, but this is only under consideration by them at this time.

We will stay in touch with the employers Labour Relations Committee and report to members as developments occur. Enjoy your summer. The fall looks to be quite busy on the negotiations front.

In solidarity,

Mike Nuyens      
Operational Services Component Chair

Jim Manson
Highways Bargaining Council Chair