After lengthy and difficult negotiations, a sixyear
tentative agreement has now been reached with
Relais Nordik Inc. with major improvements in the
work and leave schedules as well as in the
compensation system in effect while members are
on leave. The Negotiating Committee recommends
acceptance of the collective agreement.
With the arrival next year of a new vessel to
service the middle and lower Quebec North Shore,
members will enjoy greatly improved working and
living conditions.
We thank crew members of Relais Nordik and
especially Delegate Grant Evans for their support
and patience throughout the lengthy negotiation
process.
Other ongoing negotiations
Fisheries Observers working for Biorex Gulf
Region have been advised of the upcoming
negotiations for a new collective agreement and
proposals were submitted to the Company in early
December to commence negotiations early next
year.
At CTMA, very productive meetings were held
in late October with crew members from the three
vessels involved and we hope the next conciliation
meetings will help reach the desired objectives.
Negotiations with Océan Remorquage Québec
are progressing well but many important
adjustments will be required following the
application of regulatory changes.
With Océan Navigation, reopening negotiations
on monetary issues will take place in the New Year.
Negotiations with Desgagnés Marine Petro and
Cargo have broken off as Groupe Desgagnés faces
problems after making important investments in the
renewal of its fleet shortly before the worldwide
economic crisis. Desgagnés Petro and Cargo have
recently advised us that given the difficulties
experienced with the Sarah Desgagnés, in mid-
November, the vessel has been registered under the
Barbados flag.
Contract proposals will be submitted to Rigel
Shipping and Société des Traversiers du Québec.
Negotiations are expected to begin in early 2010.
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The future of maritime training is at risk in
the Province of Québec
As surprising as it may seem, the transfer by the
federal government to the Quebec government of
the Institut Maritime du Québec’s Marine
Emergency Duties Centre (MED) in St-Romuald
may not be completed as a result of the Quebec
Department of Education’s inaction in this matter.
Transport Canada has set a deadline of January
27, 2010 for the transfer to the Quebec government
of the MED Centre together with an amount of 6.3
million dollars for upgrading the facilities. Should
the transfer not be completed by the deadline, the
offer will be off the table according to Transport
Canada officials.
The Institut Maritime du Québec (IMQ) and the
maritime industry were counting on the transfer of
the MED centre and the 6.3 million dollars to
increase the capacity of the MED Centre and make
the facility of St-Romuald a national training centre
capable of providing continuous maritime training
programs. There is a severe shortage of maritime
training facilities in the Province of Québec since
the closing of the IMQ training centre in Québec
City in 2004. What is the point of having an
impressive maritime policy if we do not have the
necessary infrastructure to support it?
In addition to the MED Centre facility,
simulators for navigational and mechanical training
are also to be transferred by the federal government
to IMQ in 2010. The transfer of the simulators also
includes an amount of 1.4 million dollars to
upgrade or replace the simulators. The Quebec
Department of Education has so far refused the
federal government’s offer while all the other
Canadian provinces involved in the maritime sector
have accepted similar offers from the federal
government and will benefit from the transfer of
simulators to training centres.
The Quebec Government’s inaction is a severe
setback for all of us who, for the last ten years, have
been fighting to promote maritime training. Why is
the Quebec Government refusing to accept
subsidies of 6.3 million $ and of 1.4 million $ to be
used specifically for maritime training?
The government must act. Immediate action is
required, now!
Season’s Greetings to all.
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