BCAA Lockout & Request for Support
BCAA has locked out approximately 70 COPE 378 members at BCAA Emergency Roadside Services. For more background, see the COPE 378 media release at: http://www.cope378.ca/bcaa-lockout-threat-puts-summer-road-trips-risk
BCAA LOCKOUT THREAT PUTS SUMMER ROAD TRIPS AT RISK
Roadside Assistance May Be Delayed, Union Warns
BURNABY – On Friday, June 5, BCAA issued lockout notice to its staff responsible for dispatching tow truck drivers at BCAA Emergency Roadside Assistance. Their lockout could begin as early as 4:00 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2015. The Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union Local 378 (COPE 378), which represents the BCAA ERS employees, is concerned that a lockout would result in chaos and delays for stranded drivers, just as the summer road trip season is starting.
“BCAA is putting their customers in the middle. By threatening their employees with a lockout they are also threatening their customers with service delays, and at a time of year when families are taking road trips and want to know they’re covered if their car breaks down,” said Heather Lee, COPE 378 Vice-President.
COPE 378 represents approximately 70 members in the contact centre at BCAA Emergency Roadside Services. They are responsible for receiving roadside assistance calls and dispatching tow truck drivers to assist BCAA members. The union gave notice of limited job action last week, in an attempt to pressure BCAA without impacting customers. On Friday, they wore hats to work in violation of the BCAA dress code. Almost immediately, BCAA threatened a lockout.
“Right now our members are making the same wage as people doing the same work for BCAA’s car-sharing company, but working five hours longer every week. BCAA is not treating them fairly,” Lee added.
Everyone else with similar jobs at BCAA works a 35-hour week, including the EVO employees, who do very similar work and are paid the same, despite working five hours less each week.
“Many people join BCAA because of the great service members receive. BCAA doesn’t seem to recognize the important and high-quality of service our members provide to their customers, and by threatening a lockout they are also taking their customers for granted,” Lee said.
The contract between COPE 378 and BCAA-ERS expired in September 2014.
The picket line is up at 5590 Goring Street, Burnaby (near Holdom SkyTrain Station) and is running 24/7. Please stop by and show your support with our locked out members.
Here are some other ways you can help:
If you’re a BCAA member, please call their Corporate Communications number at 604-268-5339 and tell them you aren’t happy with being put in the middle and want them to negotiate a fair deal for our members.
Here’s a sample script:
Hi there. My name is _______ and I’m a BCAA member. I’m calling because I heard about your lockout of your roadside assistance dispatchers and I’m upset about it. I don’t appreciate being put in the middle. A big reason I have a BCAA membership is because your employees provide good service and timely roadside assistance but I’m worried you won’t be able to guarantee that with the lockout.
People should get paid fairly for the hours they work. Please tell the President of BCAA that you need to get back to the negotiating table and reach a fair deal with the union.
Share this graphic on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/COPE378/photos/a.138721766192354.26841.124292834301914/919062618158261/
Retweet this @cope378 tweet: https://twitter.com/COPE378/status/608357890345324544 and/or tweet a message to @bcaa
