Cascade Aerospace Inc. Response to UNIFOR Action at ADSE Expo

ABBOTSFORD, BC, Aug. 7, 2014 /CNW/ - Cascade Aerospace Inc. (Cascade) has been made aware that employees from UNIFOR Local 114, other members of UNIFOR, and representatives from other union organizations from the Lower Mainland intend on setting up picket lines at the Aerospace, Defense, and Security Expo (ADSE).

Cascade understands the significance of the ADSE event and the upcoming Abbotsford Airshow to the local community, and sincerely hopes that the actions of a few will not cause any undue hardship for participants and the general public. We are also disappointed to learn that members of other union organizations from outside the community are seeking to involve themselves in a local labour situation.

While the management at Cascade recognizes the right of its workers to membership in its union, and the right to strike, we are concerned that the leadership of UNIFOR has been providing inaccurate or misleading information to the public, industry, and government officials, regarding the true nature of the labour dispute between Cascade Aerospace and its employees.

Some of these inaccurate statements include, but are not limited to:

Two-Tier Wage Scale

Cascade does not anticipate a two-tiered wage scale program. All employees who are currently on staff or new hires to Cascade will be paid at the same rate.

Benefits for new hires

On its website, in recent news releases, editorial pieces, and in interviews, UNIFOR continues to assert that they are fighting an "aggressive campaign" to cut the benefits of young workers. Of the three items tabled related to benefits two have been resolved in principle (pension and benefits) and only one item, vacation plan, remains outstanding.

Wages

The bargaining committee has refused a generous wage increase proposal of 9.3% over four years.

Cascade is proud of its achievements, its employees, and the local community. Throughout the bargaining process the company has negotiated in good faith and is keen to resume negotiations with the bargaining committee at the earliest possible opportunity to address the few unresolved items related to the new contract with UNIFOR Local 114.

SOURCE: Cascade Aerospace Inc.

Media Contact:
Kim Tamminga
Cascade Aerospace
Direct: [phone]
[email protected]