Unifor files for federal conciliation in Loomis Express bargaining

VANCOUVER, Jan. 30, 2017 /CNW/ - Unifor requested that a Federal Conciliation Officer be appointed to facilitate the bargaining process with Loomis Express.

"Based on the proposals tabled by the employer, it is clear that we are headed in two different directions," said Todd Romanow, Unifor National Representative. "Our members deserve a contract that acknowledges their important contributions to the profitability of Loomis Express."

The parties entered in to formal bargaining earlier this month on January 16, with a focus on addressing respectful treatment of employees, and contracting out, but Unifor is not optimistic that the company is interested in reaching an agreement before a disruption in customer service.

Under the Canada Labour Code, after an application for conciliation is submitted by one of the bargaining agents, it is up to the federal government to appointment a conciliator. The conciliator is mandated to work with the employer and the union for up to 60 days in an attempt to negotiate a mutually satisfactory contract. If an agreement cannot be reached during that time, a lock-out or job action can begin.

Unifor represents 1,600 workers at Loomis Express, a wholly-owned subsidiary of TransForce Incorporated (TSE:TFI). The membership of Unifor members includes hourly drivers, owner operators, call centre staff, clerical, and warehouse workers. Loomis workers are covered by a national collective agreement with associated provincial addendums. The contract expires on March 31, 2017.

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 310,000 workers. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers unions merged.

SOURCE Unifor

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please contact Unifor Communications Representative Ian Boyko at [email protected] or 778-903-6549 (cell).