Brothers and Sisters,
On Friday February 19th your Master Bargaining Committee was notified late in the day that production would be suspended for the week of February 22. This lay-off would be in addition to the already scheduled down week of March 1st. As previously indicated in the Presidents Message, the reason given for the additional down week was a parts shortage due to the winter storms affecting the United States.
Job Ad Postings
The in-plant committee has had discussions with the company regarding the job ad postings posted on February 17th. These postings were supposed to posted from February 17th to February 24th. Because of the unforeseen down week, we have planned to leave the job postings up until the Wednesday of the week we return to work. As of now the plant is scheduled to resume production on Monday March 8th. So, the postings will up and available for bid until 2pm Wednesday Mach 10th.
Retirement Incentives
The initial canvass for the 40K retirement incentive has been completed Ford of Canada wide. At the Oakville Assembly Plant, we had 120 accept the incentive and elect to retire. Retirement dates will be determined by operational requirements. 60 of our members will be retiring as of March 1st 2021 and the rest will be completed by July 1st 2021.
While the Skilled Trades Retirement Incentive canvass has been completed, the initial canvass for Production members did not reach it’s targeted contractually negotiated number of Production Retirement Incentives. As a result the company will further continue to canvass more Production members who qualify under the terms of the collective agreement.
100 Day Letter
The company notified our Production Standard Committeeperson that the 100-day letter will be in effect as of February 18th, 2021. During this period the company will be looking to reduce jobs and add work to jobs. As a reminder of the process that is to be followed.
- Day shift is the lead shift for any job changes
- The operator receiving new work allocations must be given 24 hours’ (shift prior) notification.
- Operator must be given new updated OIS to review
- Operator is to get proper training on new elements of work
If there are any issues on the job, make sure you notify your supervisor as they have an obligation to work to resolve issues. If you continue to have problems, contact your Union representative.
Concerns of Additional Indefinite Layoffs
I have received many calls asking if there is potential for additional indefinite layoffs. As almost everyone can see through the beginning of the year, we have had more manpower than normal. This extra manpower is because of a low absentee rate, vacation requests are down and the loss of the China & diesel jobs at the end of 2020.
Your In-Plant committee has been having meetings to offset the additional manpower to try and avoid any more indefinite layoffs. We have a commitment from the company that every effort will be made to authorize requested time off. We have also been running additional Unifor Awareness classes (following covid-19 guidelines) and having members who received the retirement incentive retire.
Vacation Forms
The vacations forms were handed out with expected return date of March 1st. This date will be extended to the week of March 8th. In order to give yourself the best opportunity to get your required vacation dates make ever effort to submit your vacation forms.
In Solidarity
Marc Brennan
Ford Council Vice Chairperson
UNIFOR Local 707
Chassis Committeeperson
(905)845-2511 Ext. 3335
1(289)681-7654
