Latest UCTE News

For Greta Thunberg, for us and for our planet

If you have not heard, 16-year-old Greta Thunberg has picked her fight. She decided to cross the Atlantic from Plymouth, England on August 14th on board Malaysia II to New York City in the United States. Why? She wanted to be at...

September 20, 2019

Bargaining Updates

Who is Stéphane?

Do you remember the employer who refused to take collective agreement negotiations seriously? We recently posted an article that compared the employer’s willingness to engage meaningfully to the amount of time it took to get fast food. Stéphane Bissonette, the...

September 13, 2019

Honour, remember and support for fallen fighters and their families

Uncategorized

Honour, remember and support for fallen fighters and their families

Once again, this year, UCTE participated in the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation (CFFF) Memorial Services. According to their website, the CFFF “was created to HONOUR and REMEMBER firefighters who have been killed in the line of duty and to SUPPORT...

September 9, 2019

Uncategorized

Human workforce versus automation

Throughout history there has been a struggle between technology and the human workforce. You may recall that the Port of Johnstown recently announced the modernization of its facilities. No employee will lose their job and in fact they hope to...

September 5, 2019

Phoenix

Phoenix updates

Unfortunately, the nightmare impacting federal public sector workers pay is not over and here is why. The Phoenix pay system still cannot process transfers from one department into another department as well as retroactive pay because this process still requires...

September 4, 2019

Uncategorized

For our members, for Labour Day

Labour Day is a day to celebrate the contribution of workers to Canada’s socio-economic reality. One of the most frequently asked questions that union activists get is “What has the Union done for me?” We all know that it was...

September 2, 2019

Bargaining Updates Uncategorized

One demand for peace of mind

Members at Saint John Airport have taken the fight for good quality pensions to heart. Negotiations have not gone smoothly and the employer filed for conciliation in May. The bargaining team re-evaluated their package of demands and withdrew all proposals...

August 30, 2019

A Special mention for Canadian Guide Dogs for Blind

Uncategorized

A Special mention for Canadian Guide Dogs for Blind

In 2006, UCTE recognized an opportunity to make a difference in a different way. We decided that the annual golf tournament could also benefit a charity. The national president at the time, Mike Wing, said that he wanted a charity...

August 26, 2019

Negotiations are getting cold with GLPA – a bargaining update

Bargaining Updates

Negotiations are getting cold with GLPA – a bargaining update

To say that negotiations with the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority (GLPA) are difficult is an understatement. The current collective agreement expired in 2016. 3 years later, negotiations are still ongoing, and it has not been easy. It is like watching...

August 23, 2019

Parks Canada bargaining: what it means for canal members

Bargaining Updates

Parks Canada bargaining: what it means for canal members

PSAC began negotiations with Parks Canada in January 2019 after the collective agreement expired August 4, 2018. Specifically, UCTE represents the Parks canal workers who work along the Rideau, the Chambly and the Sault Ste. Marie canal systems as well...

August 23, 2019