This is an update about the status of negotiations over funding the Northern Transportation Company Limited (NTCL) Pension Plan.

 As you may know, on August 5th, 2011 formal written notification was issued to all current participants and pensioners of the Pension Plan indicating that NTCL believes that the projected payments required to fund the existing pension solvency deficiency have a significant adverse impact on NTCL. Consequently, the notification advised that the Distressed Pension Plan Workout Scheme provisions of the PBSA would be pursued by NTCL.

At the 15th UCTE Triennial Convention, delegates once more exercised their right to vote and elected their new National Executive.  A combination of new and not so new faces, the National Executive is:

Christine Collins      National President

Randy Sanderson   National Vice-President

Wayne Fagan           Regional Vice-President, Atlantic

Donald Drapeau      Regional Vice-President, Quebec

Darlene Brown         Regional Vice-President, Ontario

September 2011

On September 9, 2011, UCTE National President Christine Collins wrote to the Prime Minister asking him to intervene on the Department of Fisheries and Oceans decision to close the Marine Rescue Sub-Centres in St. John's NL and Quebec City, Quebec.

Below please find the text.

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September 9, 2011

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P.

Prime Minister of Canada

Langevin Block, 80 Wellington Street

Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A3

Fax number: (613) 995-0101

August 2011

On June 7, 2011, the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE) was advised of Minister Ashfield’s announcement to close two Marine Rescue Sub Centres (MRSCs)– one in St. John’s, NL and the other in Quebec City, Quebec – as part of the $56.8 million deficit reduction.  UCTE’s concern is for the negative impact the closures of these two critical sites on the communities they serve as well as on our members.

Organizational Charts not updated

June 2, 2011

Many of you have contacted UCTE regarding the lack of an accurate or up to date organizational chart.  In response to our inquiries, you can soon expect a notice from Transport Canada advising that organization charts will only be finalized once the Technical Team Leads are appointed.