Whole process clear as mud?
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http://www.usw2251.ca/viewarticle.php?a=NDM0
CCAA Update
Today’s Sootoday.com has an article titled “Proposed deal would install new owners at Essar Steel Algoma”. This article purports to quote comments in an affidavit filed with the court. If in fact the purported quotes are accurately quoted, then the statements contained in the affidavit are misleading and inaccurate.
The comments regarding the behaviour of the Union are uncalled for and are biased statements made by the financial advisor to the Applicant. In point of fact, it is my belief that the purpose is to attempt to persuade the Court that the Union is being unreasonable. Quite frankly, that position is completely inaccurate. At all times this Negotiating Committee has attempted to negotiate with various parties who maintained unreasonable positions. To suggest that the lack of a deal is due to the actions of our Local is ludicrous.
An overview of our history regarding negotiations during the CCAA process shows:
- 2251 gave notice to the Employer to negotiate in the normal course.
- Response by the Employer was, we are in CCAA.
- As a result, the Union started negotiating with the Term Lenders.
- Subsequently, the Term Lenders suspended negotiations.
- The Employer put the Union on notice it wished to negotiate and that a ‘no-board’ report would be requested.
- The Local Union polled the members and took a strike vote.
- The Court ruled that no ‘no-board’ reports would be obtained and no strikes could take place.
- The Court further ruled mandatory mediation before Justice Winkler.
- The Union commenced negotiations under the mediation.
- The Term Lenders maintained their unreasonable position.
- The mediation was subsequently adjourned by Justice Winkler and is still adjourned.
As things stand today, it is the Union’s position that negotiations with the Term Lenders are still adjourned.
