The new Collective Agreement for CSL Self Un-loaders has been ratified by the membership in a vote held during the month of October.

Highlights of the agreement include a 3.7% wage increase in the first year of the agreement and full Cost of Living protection for subsequent years. Medical plan contributions by the company will also see substantial increases in each year of the agreement.

With the current economic conditions, and an uncertain few years ahead it was a tough round of negotiations. When we first met the Company was asking for substantial changes some of which would have turned the clock back several decades. Cuts to bread and butter issues such as meal hours, the spread of working hours, OT Call outs, restrictions to extra time off etc were all on the table. Not to mention wage increases below the current cost of living index. After many days of sometimes heated discussion, we were able to come to terms with the issues and the membership voted overwhelmingly to accept the CBA.

We wish to thank all the members for their support during this tough negotiation. It is comforting to know that we have a few more years of job security for our members before we are back at the table. Our main goal going into negotiations was to be able to go back to the membership with a fair deal based on the economics we are all facing. When we look at other Collective Agreements being signed we feel that our members fared well. Recently the Seaway workers accepted a contract with 2% wage increases, and US Steel workers accepted an agreement with 0% increases for subsequent years. Overall our increases are above what we are seeing in other sectors across the Country.

Algoma Negotiations

We are pleased to report that after months of negotiations, we have reached a tentative agreement with Algoma Central. Let us say it was not an easy round of negotiations. The economic conditions throughout Canada and the world have made things very difficult. We are confident the membership working on Algoma vessels will be pleased with the proposed deal as it addresses major issues which will benefit the membership and industry as a whole.

Over the next several weeks, we will be boarding vessels to conduct the vote and mailing ballots to those members currently on leave.

CSL Spirit

The 70 thousand ton CSL Spirit is now proudly flying the Maple Leaf from her stern and crewed by a very professional SIU crew!! The vessel, which was an FOC, has been brought under the Canadian Flag by CSL in order to work the East Coast of Canada and eventually Seven Islands. Duty removal was not the determining factor in this vessel coming in but it certainly played an important role. She is the largest dry bulk vessel flying the Canadian Flag in our fleet. The intentions are she will sail the coast for a month and then enter dry-dock for Canadian refit before assuming her role at Sept Iles.

The vessel is fairly new and outfitted with the latest technology. As such we have entered into an agreement with V.Ships/CSL for Electronic Technicians for the vessel. This new category of Electrician will be able to better meet the needs of this vessel and the newer vessels coming into Canada through the CSL Fleet renewal program. Electricians from the self un- loader fleet will be indentified to fit into this new category, if they have the qualifications, otherwise we will recruit new members for this position. Several local Colleges offer the Electronic Technician program and we will work with them to make sure we fill these jobs with the most qualified people.

We are entering a very interesting time with fleet renewal in full swing. Both Algoma and CSL have announced major commitments for new builds that will be arriving in Canada over the next few years. These vessels will be equipped with technology we have not seen in Canada before and we must prepare now in order to be able to man the vessels and work safely and efficiently. Identifying areas where we need training will be a focus over the next few months. We must then implement these training programs via STI. The SIU has always been very active in training our members for the vessels they currently sail on now we must adopt a strategy for the new vessels in order not to be left behind. A major part of fleet renewal will be the ability to man the vessels. When we add up the positions it is apparent we will need all hands on deck to fill the vacancies as the vessels arrive. We would hope that current members, who have chosen to sail relief, will step up and take these full time jobs. We will also be active in recruiting new members into the union.

Time for Reflection

At this time of year we have the opportunity to sit down with family and friends and reflect back over the year. It is no different for your Union executive as we take stock of the year. Has it been a good year for the members? Have we done everything we possibly could to make sure the members have a job in which they can comfortably take care of their families and be secure knowing the future holds promise and opportunity? What more can we do to make sure our industry continues to offer long term stability for our membership? These are tough questions and at the end of the day we need to be able to say yes the future looks secure and promising.

This year has not been without its ups and downs. The economic conditions in the World have made negotiations tough, but not impossible. Grain has kept vessels running but the Steel industry still remains a concern. Recent Ballast Water decisions favor the industry, but, a small change in thinking could tip the balance. We have also been challenged with the Algoma fleet. The small CAW local 4401 has made it clear they want to take over the SIU representation of Algoma members. Even when we have said we are happy with the status quo, Algoma has said they are happy with the status quo and the Labor Board has said they are happy with the status quo, it is not over. They recently filed an appeal to the Labor Board to review an earlier decision. We were not, and are not, looking for a fight with Local 4401. But we must say we will not sit back with idle hands and watch an Auto Workers Union disrupt the livelihood of our members. We are the SIU, a Union by Seafarers for Seafarers. We deeply care about the well being of our members and our industry. It may sound shallow, but we don't care about anything other than our members and the health of the Maritime Industry in which they make a living. We are unique, we are solid, and we are a brotherhood of Seafarers. We are a family that was brought together a long time ago to fight for respect and credibility both with industry and government. Those that have come after us are not the true Seafarers union, only we can lay claim to that. We built it, we live it and only we will look after it!!

Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!