The Teamsters Union is organizing
a demonstration on October 21 on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa. The
goal of this gathering is to make the Canadian people and federal
elected officials aware of the situation of Flextronics workers.
The kickoff for this demonstration was the filing of a series of
grievances by the Teamsters Union so that its members who worked at
the Flextronics plant in Montreal may benefit from their Retiring
Allowance Plan (RAP). This plan was part of the collective agreement
bargained between the parties a few years ago.
A RAP is an amount received by workers to guarantee their livelihood
between the time they stop working and the time they reach
retirement age.
Over recent months, Flextronics workers have learned that their
former employer had unilaterally decided reduce their RAP cheques.
Some saw their income slashed by close to 90%!
The Teamsters Union is speaking out and asking Ottawa and Quebec to
resolve the issue.
"This
fight between the two organizations has put a heavy financial strain
on Flextronics workers," said Serge Bérubé, President of Teamsters
Local Union 1999. Most of those receiving the RAP cannot even
continue to pay for their rent, food or electricity."
If a law were to be introduced governing foreign takeovers of
Canadian companies, the RAP would be more stable for workers at
companies that go bankrupt.
"What workers have gone through at Flextronics could happen in a
number of other companies," added Mr. Bérubé. These pre-retirement
pensioners have a right to their RAP, and governments should not
allow companies that pack it in after a few years of business in
Canada to dodge their responsibilities."
Meetings are planned for the day of the demonstration between
representatives of the Teamsters Union and various politicians. The
Teamsters Union intends to intensify its efforts to convlnce the
federal elected officials to include a bill in the legislative
agenda regarding foreign takeovers of Canadian companies.
Moreover, pre-retirement pensioners from Flextronics will come and
lend their support to Nortel retirees who have had their pension
cheque reduced by 20 to 30% because of the sale of bankrupt Nortel's
assets. The retirees will also demonstrate in Ottawa so that the
Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act is amended in order for workers to
become priority creditors.
Goal: Raise awareness among the Canadian public and the
federal government of the situation faced by members of the
Flextronics Retiring Allowance Plan and Nortel retirees.
When: Wednesday, 21st October 2009, from noon to 1 pm.
Where: Parliament Hill, Ottawa
Who: Retired workers from Flextronics and Nortel
Speakers :
 |
Stéphane Lacroix, Director of Communications, Teamsters Canada |
|
|
Pierre Lebrun, Union Representative, Teamsters Local Union 1999 |
|
|
Ken Lyons, Nortel Retirees' Protection Committee |
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