Negotiations Bulletin: TransForce International

On June 27 and 28, 2023, the Union’s negotiating Committee met with representatives of TFI to continue Negotiations to renew the current collective agreement, which while still in force expired on December 4, 2022. This was the second meeting having previously met in February.

There has been very little progress made at the Bargaining table over 4 days of bargaining and it is obvious that the company does not care about the issues the workers at TFI are facing.

For example, the members ratified a program of demands which included: 

• An increase of commission rates;
• The removal of the chart for new workers and new work;
• 90% of the fuel surcharge paid to drivers, and;
• A $2,000.00 signing bonus.

These are all reasonable demands. The income of drivers has dropped due to increases in the cost of living. We also know that the company received massive payments from the Federal Government during COVID and did not pass any of it on to the workers covered by this collective agreement… Yet the Company has refused to even consider any of these demands.

Their only response is NO.

What’s Next

At this point in Negotiations, either the company or the Union can apply to the Federal Minister of Labour for Conciliation. A Conciliator, once appointed, works with the parties to determine if a negotiated collective agreement can be reached.

When either side applies for Conciliation, the Minister has 15 days to appoint a Conciliator. Once appointed, the maximum time for conciliation is 60 days unless both parties agree to an extension. Once the Conciliation period ends, the company can lock the workers out with 72 hours’ notice, or the Union can call a strike with 72 hours’ notice.

Strike vote

If the company continues to not take seriously the Union demands, we will have no choice but to take a Strike Vote to show the company that we are serious. When a Strike Vote is taken, it must be used within 60 days. Therefore, any strike vote will occur after the Conciliation process has begun.

Support Our Demands

All members need to get involved and show the company that we are serious. There will be meetings held over the next several weeks, as well as further bulletins including more details on the last negotiations meeting. Members need to get involved, attend meetings, and read the information sent by the Union. We need to find ways to force the company to meaningfully address our demands.

In Solidarity,

CUPW Negotiation Committee

Lana Smidt
Dave Lambert
Raman Bath
Judy King