Phone
Survey
July
8, 2006
Brothers and Sisters,
As you are aware, we have been conducting a random phone survey
of members at CPRail concerning the current round of negotiations.
Though all the results are not in yet, I thought that I would share
what we've gathered from a few hundred calls already.
The calls have been made on all four (4) regions by eight (8) volunteers.
We all asked the same eleven (11) questions, with eight (8) requiring
simple 'yes' or 'no' answers. There were three (3) questions asking
for brief opinions. Each call took an average of 10 - 15 minutes
and no names were written on the sheet, though we did record the
position that the respondent worked.
This was a new way of extending the communication process and the
main purpose was to get a better feel of what the membership are
looking for, not only in the contract, but in the TCRCMWED itself.
It was fairly informal and yet went great, especially for a first
effort. The members were glad to hear from us, and I did not hear
any negative comments from the volunteers.
Personally, everyone that I talked to was positive, and even though
I didn't know quite a few of them, they were supportive and friendly
(though not very happy with the way the CPR is running things).
Actually, all the volunteers including myself, look forward to
doing the next wave of calls in a few months with different members.
The non 'yes' or 'no' questions were:
- #
7) What would you most like to see achieved on this contract?
- #
10) If you answered "No" to question 9, what are
you not satisfied with?
- #
11) What improvements would you like to see in the TCRCMWED?
The
following are the other questions and the percentages, currently,
for their answers:
- Are
you aware that in July, 2006 your Union will begin bargaining
your new contract with CPR?
YES 90.4% NO 9.6%
- Do
you think that CPRail treats you fairly in respect to wages,
expenses and work rules?
YES 10.7% NO 89.3%
- Do
you believe that CPRail will offer a fair and equitable contract
to their employees this year? YES 11.3% NO 88.7% (Of course,
this was prior to the release of what the company did demand
at the table. I would bet that the 11.3% has shrunk a fair
bit)
- Do
you support the TEAMSTERS bargaining committee?
YES 98% NO
2%
- Do
you believe that the TCRC MWED bargaining committee, led by
President Brehl, will be able to negotiate a fair and equitable
contract?
YES 65.5% NO 3.6% YES, BUT NOT WITHOUT A FIGHT 30.9%
- Would
you support a job action, if need be, to force the company
into agreeing to a fair and equitable contract? YES 95.8% NO
4.2% (it should be noted that of the ones that we counted as "no",
the comment was made a few times that they would support a job
action, just not a strike.)
- What
would you most like to see achieved on this contract ? I don't
want to let out too much of our strategy but Wages, pension
improvements, expenses, rest days and respect topped the list.
- Do
you believe that if the rail unions are negotiating and/or
working together, a better contract will be achieved?
YES 98.6%
NO 1.4%
- It
is now almost a year since the election of your TCRCMWED Executive
Board, are you satisfied with the leadership to date?
YES 90.3%
NO 9.7%
All in all this survey was a very positive exercise. Though as
stated earlier, it was fairly informal, it was also inexpensive
and gave us a good cross section of the membership and their feedback.
And don't worry, this is not a 'strike vote'. If we are forced
into mediation, we will conduct a proper referendum, in accordance
with the law.
Thanks again to all the members that participated, both in giving
answers and asking the questions. It is only with your help that
this Union can best serve you....'cause after all, you are the
Union.
Fraternally,
Bill Brehl
President
TCRCMWED
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