CLAC at YYC

The Calgary International Airport (YYC) is the fourth busiest airport in Canada, with nearly 18 million passengers flying through YYC per year and over 700 screening officers employed by Garda (in normal, non-COVID times).

In 2017, a group of YYC screening officers reached out to CLAC in Calgary, having heard good things about the union and with a desire to leave their previous union, the Teamsters, and make the switch to CLAC. After an organizing campaign that saw well over 400 screening officers sign CLAC membership cards and pay the $5 fee to CLAC required by the federal labour board, a labour board vote occurred in which over 60% voted in favour of CLAC. The switch was made official in December 2018.

CLAC has worked with and in support of YYC screening officers since that time, establishing a good model of representation and trust with the membership.

When YYC screening officers were considering a switch in unions, they understandably had lots of questions about CLAC and how to switch. Having now been through the entire process from start to finish, CLAC can share the following details about how things went at YYC, from the organizing campaign until today:

• December 5, 2018: CIRB (Canada Industrial Relations Board ) votes counted. CLAC declared the new union for Garda YYC screening officers.

• December 7, 2018: Official labour board certificate of representation issued to CLAC. In a first discussion with Garda management, it was acknowledged and agreed as per the Canada Labour Code that the previous collective agreement negotiated by the Teamsters would remain in force and effect under CLAC until a new one was negotiated between the parties.

• December 21, 2018: Benefits coverage under the CLAC Benefits Plan in place for all YYC screening officers, retroactive to December 1. (The Teamsters had immediately cut off benefits coverage upon finding out that they lost the vote, retroactive to December 1, so CLAC immediately worked with Garda to ensure no gap in coverage.) Union stewards were officially in place as of December 21, following the nomination and election period between December 7-21.

• January 2019: First grievance meetings held with Garda, including dealing with outstanding/unresolved grievances from the Teamsters that CLAC took carriage of (some old Teamsters grievances dated back as far as July 2018).

• January-February 2019: Elections for bargaining committee held. Membership proposal meetings held, including online survey.

• February-September 2019: Negotiations for a first/renewed collective agreement. This included one failed ratification in May, followed by an eventual successful ratification in September for a first/new collective agreement with CLAC, with 71% of members voting in favour of the negotiated settlement.

• January 2021: Many YYC members began to move funds from their previous Teamsters pension account to personal savings accounts or their CLAC pension account, due to lack of confidence and trust in the Teamsters pension plan. There was a two-year period that members had to wait before they could move their funds out of their old pension plan. (Note: This was only available to members under age 55)

 

CLAC’s Model of Representation at YYC

CLAC, along with stewards at YYC, has worked hard to establish a good routine that the membership can depend upon. Below are some important features of representation at YYC:

• Union steward/CLAC rep availability in lunchroom
  Two-hour periods, twice a week, where a steward and a CLAC representative are available on-site for member questions and concerns.

• Regular grievance meetings
  Step 2 grievance meetings held every two weeks, and Step 3 meetings held every four weeks. Communication with members and stewards is consistent throughout grievance process to keep everyone updated and to get necessary information/details.

• Democratic process
  Stewards and bargaining committee members elected democratically by the membership, using a combination of electronic and in-person voting for maximum member participation.

• Trained stewards
  Currently 23 stewards in place (although some off on voluntary layoff), all democratically elected by the membership. Three levels of paid training offered by CLAC, plus extra educational opportunities such as stewards conferences and Mental Health First Aid training.

• Good communication
  Responsive communication between members, stewards, and CLAC representatives. Updates provided by mass email communication when necessary (especially important during the challenges of COVID), postings on the workplace union bulletin board, and information posted in online CLAC member portal. Regular sharing of information from CLAC representatives with stewards to help in making important decisions.

• Joint labour management meetings
  Held every two to three months, meetings are attended by CLAC representatives and four Stewards, to engage with Garda management on non-grievance issues of mutual concern, improve working conditions, and promote good communication between Garda, screening officers, and CLAC.

• Good benefits plan
  CLAC benefits plan in place for members at YYC, which was delivered at a lower cost—but with better coverage across the board—than the old Teamsters benefits plan.

• Good pension plan
  CLAC pension plan in place for members at YYC. Members can access and check their accounts easily at any time online through CLAC member portal, in addition to receiving mailed annual statements.