COMMUNICATION, ENERGY AND PAPERWORKERS UNION OF CANADA LOCAL 2289

History of OUR Union

While we were still members of Local 1030, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union, a dispute arose between the Canadian Labour Congress (C.L.C.) and the building trades unions which included the I.B.E.W. This dispute had nothing to do with our local but we were affected in the following ways:

1. The building trades unions withheld their dues to the C.L.C. in order to attempt to force the C.L.C. to enforce parts of their own constitution and to address legitimate grievances on behalf of the I.B.E.W. and others.
   
    
2. The C.L.C. suspended the membership of the building trade union for non payment of dues. The C.L.C. did not address the legitimate grievances of the I.B.E.W
   
    
3. Due to the fact that we were an I.B.E.W. local and due to the fact that all members of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour (N.S.F.L.) must be affiliated with the C.L.C., we lost our membership in the N.S.F.L.
   
    
4. Although we were active members in the N.S.F.L., this organization did not see fit to stand up to the C.L.C. but compiled with their directives.
   
    
5. Our membership (I.B.E.W., Local 1030) also expressed their concerns at this time as they were unsatisfied with a portion of their dues money going to the United States and that the telephone industry under I.B.E.W. was not being given the attention they felt it should be given. Thus the Atlantic Communication & Technical Workers' came into being after many volunteered hours of hard work and the desire to become an Independent, Nova Scotia operated Union. The Atlantic Communication & Technical Workers' Union was certified on the 13th of December, 1984.

In January, of 1985 the A.C.& T.W.U. was ready to commence the operation of its office in Halifax. Office space was rented at 3514 Joseph Howe Drive in Halifax. Now came the problems of purchasing office furniture and the basic office necessities. These items were purchased on the Business Manager's credit card as the funds of the A.C. & T.W.U. were very meagre. The I.B.E.W. had ceased all of the membership's monies claiming it was theirs. We placed ourselves on a very strict budget as the union's first accomplishment had to be obtaining Collective Agreements for its Traffic Operators and its Plant Workers. This in itself is a very costly item. There were a few weeks when the Business Manager and Office Secretary had to wait to be paid but the union was progressing very well.

In September of 1985 new collective agreements for Operator Services and Plant were signed and the members were quite pleased with the new contracts. The union handles approximately four hundred (400) grievances per year and we have been running an average of twenty (20) arbitration cases per year.

The union held it's first election for Officers and Unit positions in 1986. These positions are for a three-year term. The next election is scheduled for June, 2001.

We have held various courses for our members such as: Shop Steward's Courses, Unit Chairperson's Courses, and Negotiating Courses.

We held our First Biennial Convention in October, 1986 at which time many changes were made to our Constitution. At our recent convention in November of 1990, it was decided that our conventions will take place every three (3) years. The last convention was held in October, 1999 in HALIFAX, Nova Scotia.

A member of the A.C. & T.W.U. is entitled to the following:

1.  
   1. vote on all policies affecting the union;
   2. vote on any increase in union dues;
   3. vote on changes to the Constitution;
   4. run for, and vote, in the union elections;
   5. vote upon the general direction and guidance of the A.C. & T.W.U.

   
   
    

2. Be enrolled in the Worker's Support Fund. At the present time there is $3.00 per member/per month directed to this special fund. This fund has been frozen for five (5) years through membership approval, until the membership can design the actual purpose they want this fund to serve. A the present time the money has been and continues to be invested in high interest return investments.
   
    
3. Eight (8) bursaries of $750.00 each are given to Sons and Daughters of members to assist financially toward their education.
   
    
4. A Bible is presented to the Family of a deceased member of the A.C. & T.W.U., on behalf of the A.C. & T.W.U.
   
    
5. Sympathy cards are sent to members upon the loss of a family member.
   
    
6. Sick Gifts and Get Well cards are presented, in accordance to the policy regarding this.
   
    
7. A retirement gift and a cheque for $250.00 are presented to a member upon his retirement.
   
    
8. An A.C. & T.W.U. membership card as well as;
   
    
9. Mileage to attend union meetings, in accordance to the policy regarding this.
   
    
10. A monthly newsletter known as "InFo Update".
    
     
11. Collective Bargaining for wages and working conditions.
    
     
12. Grievance procedures and arbitrarial services.
    
     
13. Legal fees pertaining to arbitration cases, P.U.B. hearings,etc.
    
     
14. Full-time Business Manager and office staff.
    
     
15. Shop Steward and Unit Chairperson Training.

In sixteen years, the union has reached a secure financial position. We are also considering growing by taking on new membership in communication related industries.

Our present contract is due to expire January 1, 2002.

On December 13, 1990, six years after acquiring certification the union has purchased its own office building at 6148 Quinpool Road. At the 1993 Convention in Yarmouth a mortgage burning was held to celebrate the complete payment of the building.

On January 11, 1991 the union was successful in acquiring the clerical employees to join the A.C. & T.W.U.

On March 13, 1998 the union was successful in acquiring the employees at Sparton Forwarding to join the A.C.& T.W.U.

The A.C. & T.W.U. are presently over 1,800 members strong.

The A.C. & T.W.U. maintains that its union will remain a Nova Scotia operation and that its membership will control its activities.

The AC&TWU is a founding member of National Alliance of Communication Workers' (NACU). NACU meets on a regular basis to discuss issues that affect its unionized workers from coast to coast. In the Spring of 2000 NACU held its first National Conference to discuss the issue of convergence in the telecommunication industry and how this will affect collective bargaining.

We have also formed a close relationship with the Communication Energy and Paperworkers Union (CEP). As a result of the four Atlantic Telephone Companies merging into Aliant. This merger will cause some concerns at bargaining but we all feel confident that we the AC&TWU and CEP will be able to work together closely to bargain a fair collective agreement for all of our members.

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