We are disappointed, but not surprised, to see the most recent communication from the Union that states the Company is acting unethically and lying during negotiations. This is completely inappropriate and false. The Company is simply following the language in the collective agreement.

In advance of this wage reopener, the Company communicated to the Union that we intended to only address the top of scale and overscale wages. This is what is clearly stated in the collective agreement that was negotiated in good faith with the Union and ratified by our employees.

The Union leadership on the other hand would prefer to disregard the collective agreement and what they agreed to in 2020.

The Union is stating that the Company refused to move off its initial monetary position, which is false. The TRUTH is that the Company asked the Union for their wage proposal and the Union refused to provide one. After three days of bargaining, the Company still does not know what wage percentages the Union is asking for. For a wage reopener of this nature, we would have expected to have this information by now.

We are hopeful that we will receive this information at the beginning of bargaining on June 28 so we can have meaningful discussions and attempt to come to a negotiated settlement.