During the February 20, 2007 meal grievance hearing, Arbitrator Teplitsky proposed that the parties negotiate a Memorandum of Agreement for Domestic and Transborder meal allowances similar to the Overseas Meal Entitlement M.O.A. This was intended to resolve ongoing disputes over the interpretation of Article 7.02 and was to provide clear and comprehensive guidelines. An ad-hoc committee was established. Meetings were held on July 3rd, 4th and 5th, 2007. The Committee created two options. Option A and Option B. ACCEX subsequently voted to support Option B.
It was presented to the Company on May 27th, 2008 and we received their counterproposal which was significantly different from ours.
We recently revisited the outstanding issues surrounding the Domestic Meal M.O.A. and resolved the Incorrectly Published Pairings, Special Meals and Embraer grievances. The excerpt of the order of January 6th, 2009 is as follows:
Grievance No. CHQ-05-39 Embraer meals
Decision: Any Embraer grievance involving a claim for getting a cold meal instead of a hot meal will not be allowed, however, any claim for a missing meal or not having time to eat the meal will be allowed. This means that all of the Embraer grievances that we have diligently filed will now be closed and no further grievances will be filed in regards to the cold vs. hot issue. This is not the outcome that we had hoped for but it will give us the opportunity to move forward with a resolution.
Grievance No. CHQ-06-69 Incorrectly Published Pairings
Decision: If the Union gives notice of an error in the pairings within a reasonable amount of time and the Company does not correct this error, then punitive action will be imposed in the form of a financial penalty. We will be monitoring the pairings and ensuring that we notify the Company of any errors or omissions.
Grievance No. CHQ-06-30 Special Meals
Decision: The employer is to supply special meals or pay expenses as per the Collective Agreement.
We had a hearing on January 6th, 2009 with Mr. Teplitsky in regards to the MOA for domestic/transborder meal allowances. We have reconsidered the contents of the M.O.A. and will possibly allow this to be addressed in bargaining rather than jeopardize our interests. There is a wide chasm between our position and that of the Company. This is a vital part of our working life and we would like to ensure the most favourable outcome possible.