March 3, 2021
Member Weekly Update – Edition #8
Please find the latest edition of weekly updates to the membership about ongoing Union business.
Last week, your Executive Board (EB) released a short, 5 question survey that evaluates how the decisions being made by NAV Canada are affecting our Members. Today, 70 percent of the membership has responded. Members are encouraged to complete the survey as soon as possible; the deadline to submit responses is 16:00 ET on Friday, March 5, 2021.
There is no update on our Reply to the CIRB as it pertains to the filed Unfair Labour Practice Complaint. CATCA’s Reply to NAV Canada was submitted on February 23, 2021. Information will be relayed as it is received. In the meantime, your National Executive has met with NAV Canada to discuss grievances and possible resolutions, but currently, there are no significant details to be communicated.
Efforts continue by the CATCA EB to meet with Government Officials to enforce CATCA’s message about the safety of the Air Navigation System and the impacts of NAV Canada’s decision to issue vulnerable and surplus letters, both present and future. Of note, the Minister of Transport, Omar Alghabra, has agreed to a meeting with CATCA as soon as it can be scheduled; details are currently being worked out.
In last week’s edition, we provided a form letter for members to utilize when speaking with their local Government Officials. The influence that local Government Officials have on the Federal Government cannot be emphasized enough. We strongly recommend that “ALL” Members take advantage of sending the form letter, in conjunction with any of your own words, should you choose to do so. It is vital that your elected Government Officials hear from you. Included with the form letter is a link where members can determine who their local Officials are and send these letters to the appropriate persons. Click here to access the form letter.
CATCA has been made aware that in certain cases, NAV Canada has retroactively converted or will convert in the near future COVID-19 isolation leave to sick leave and/or personal leave. Members should be aware that this may affect them if they have been on COVID-19 isolation leave. You are encouraged to check if this has occurred with your leave and if it has, inform your RVP.
Members are reminded to contact their immediate manager(s) to inform them that they may not be physically or mentally able to perform their job safely. If that is the case, please request assistance to help deal with the issue(s) you are experiencing. In response to CATCA’s letter regarding the psychological impact these decisions have on our Members, NAV Canada has indicated that they would work with each member individually concerning these sensitive matters. We urge CATCA Members to utilize this avenue if they experience symptoms attributable to the current situation that could hinder your ability to perform your job safely. In addition, you should reach out to your RVP and utilize EAP services to provide additional support that may be required; please click here or here.
We continue to ask all Members to remain professional as we attempt to continue discussions with NAV Canada over these decisions and their negative impacts. Please remain respectful to management in any discussions or written transactions you may have regarding voicing your concern on this.
On Behalf of the Executive Board;
Doug Best Scott Loder
President Executive Vice President
Click here for the PDF.
