A campaign is a concerted effort organized around a specific goal or issue. It involves various levels of activity and broad based initiatives in order to move an issue forward. The issue can affect a large portion of the membership or affect just one member but is significant enough that it requires solidarity from the rest of the membership. Below please find the ongoing campaigns that UCTE is involved.
a. Technical Inspectors
The role of the Technical Inspectors (TIs) is to ensure the safety of the travelling public. Over 10 years ago, Transport Canada put this work group under the TI classification acknowledging that it was not an accurate fit and with the intention of resolving the discrepancies to the classification at a later time. To date, this has not happened. Currently TIs are placed in an occupational group that does not reflect the work that they do. At the heart of this issue is the fact that the Aircraft Operators (AOs) group performs essentially the same work as the TIs. The problem is that the AOs are required to carry a pilot's licence and receive a significant increase in pay when compared to the TI counterpart. Classification exists that more accurately reflect the work performed by the TI group. However, classification and occupational group standards are established by Treasury Board Secretariat. As a result, the union can not bargain this.
Although the principal of "equal pay for equal work" is central to this matter, this issue is not covered by Pay Equity Legislation. Also, this can not be fought as a discrimination issue since it does not fall under the Charter of Human Rights.
Tied to this issue are the amendments to the Aeronautics Act which ingrains Safety Management Systems (SMS). Industry self-regulation, which is at the heart of SMS, poses great concerns to our members and the Canadian public. The work that we have been doing is to put safeguards into the Aeronautics Act around SMS to provide for greater safety and security.
b. Canadian Coast Guard
UCTE is committed to the recapitalization of the fleet and ensuring adequate funding so that the Canadian Coast Guard can carry out its mandate. To date, UCTE has been. To date, UCTE has been instrumental in working with government to highlight the importance of investing in things such as proper ships and Arctic Icebreakers.
c. Airport Firefighters
UCTE is committed to bring about awareness to the deterioration of the regulations that have compromised aircraft safety. The fact is that there exists insufficient training and, more importantly, insufficient staffing levels.
PSAC Campaigns
DQPS – http://www.psac.com/issues/dqps-dspq/index-e.shtml
Social Justice Fund http://www.psac-sjf.org/