Arbitrator Michel Picher has released the long awaited decision regarding the outstanding issues at VIA. The majority of the arbitration panel, chaired by Mr. Picher, agreed with the Union's proposal on wages and dismissed the Corporation's demand that all TCRC members hired after January 1, 2015 be placed in a hybrid pension plan. The Corporation's appointee to the panel dissented.
Our Union successfully protected the defined benefit pension plan and we will continue to do so.
We greatly appreciate the assistance of our actuaries, led by
Susan Chortyk and Nisha Singh whose analysis and testimony provided
us with the insight and information to rebuke the Corporation's
position.
Michael Church presented an excellent case on our
behalf, assisted by General Chairmen Michael, Hallé and Willows as
well as the rest of our VIA bargaining team.
The TCRC
appointee to the Arbitration Panel was Harold Caley. It is an
understatement to say that his knowledge of pension issues and
outright tenacity were instrumental in being successful in this
case.
Against very strong odds and in light of the recent
settlements and arbitration cases in other industries, our Union
successfully protected the defined benefit pension plan and we will
continue to do so.
Thank you to everyone involved in this
process.
R. Hackl
Published: November 1st 2016 | Source: R. Hackl - TCRC Vice President
