CAA Workers Strongly Reject Concessions

Strike deadline set for Monday

TORONTO, Sept. 24 /CNW/ - About 130 travel professionals, member service counselors and licensed insurance agents at several CAA offices in southern Ontario could strike Monday unless the company backs off demands for more concessions.

"We've made it clear our members will not go backwards anymore," said Stuart Deans, Toronto area coordinator with the United Steelworkers (USW).

"Our members want modest improvements and are willing to work with the CAA under new leadership. But we're here to make real gains." The Steelworkers, representing 118 CAA employees, are bargaining jointly with the Canadian Auto Workers, representing another 11 CAA employees.

"The CAW is committed to ensure members are treated with dignity and receive fair and equitable increases," said CAW representative Guy Havell.

"Consolidating efforts with the USW has empowered all members to prevent CAA from achieving their concessionary demands."

After enduring such tactics in the past, the workers are rejecting CAA demands for concessions on wages, benefits and commission structures.

The workers are employed at CAA South Central Ontario outlets in the GTA and other cities including Simcoe, St. Thomas, Barrie, Orillia, Oshawa and Sault St. Marie. The workers have a Monday, Sept. 27, strike deadline but are committed to negotiating a fair settlement to avert a labour dispute.

Another group of about 40 unionized CAA workers, represented by Teamsters Local 879, is in similar talks with the company. These workers, employed at CAA offices in the Wellington, Oxford, Middlesex and Waterloo areas, will be in a legal strike position by mid-October.

Negotiations await a fourth group of 18 CAA employees, represented by the CAW, in Essex, Kent, Lambton, Huron, Bruce, Grey and Dufferin counties. Their contract expires Dec. 11.

For further information:

Stuart Deans, USW, 647-226-8792;
Guy Havel, CAW, 519-851-8184.