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Laval, January 18, 2010 – The Teamsters Union has learned that the president of the Challenger group, Dan Einwechter, is said to have led his workers to believe the organizing campaign will end after six months.
It is true that the union membership application card signed by workers during the past weeks is valid for a period of six months, since this campaign falls under the federal government's authority. However, as is the case with all campaigns of this nature, Teamsters organizers will remain available to workers as long as workers wish.
"There are likely very good reasons that we have received so many telephone calls from the workers during the past few weeks," pointed out Robert Bouvier, president of Teamsters Canada. "A clear sense of uneasiness is becoming apparent from their comments."
In addition, the president of Challenger has supposedly confirmed he has not been aware of the deterioration in the working climate during recent years. This is a very surprising statement, given that the majority of those who have communicated with Teamsters Canada organizers have complained about a blatant lack of respect.
"I have worked in organized labour for nearly 40 years and I can confirm that, too often, employers' promises are nothing but empty promises aimed at deceiving workers," explained Mr. Bouvier. "Nothing will change at Challenger if the workers do not take matters into their own hands."
However, the president of Teamsters Canada advises Dan Einwechter to beware of the temptation of wanting to find guilty parties among his staff.
"We have been warned that there might be an investigation into the origin of testimonials posted on our campaign site," added the union president. Challenger management cannot muzzle workers' freedom of expression, and we will employ every method—for as long as necessary—to protect them, regardless of the financial and human resources our union must dedicate to the effort.
Consequently, the Teamsters organizing team will remain in the field and will continue to communicate with workers during the weeks, and even months, to come. Challenger workers may also visit the campaign website at www.teamsters-challenger.ca to stay informed about the latest campaign developments.
The Teamsters Union represents 125,000 members in Canada in all trades. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, with which Teamsters Canada is affiliated, has 1.4 million members in North America.
It is true that the union membership application card signed by workers during the past weeks is valid for a period of six months, since this campaign falls under the federal government's authority. However, as is the case with all campaigns of this nature, Teamsters organizers will remain available to workers as long as workers wish.
"There are likely very good reasons that we have received so many telephone calls from the workers during the past few weeks," pointed out Robert Bouvier, president of Teamsters Canada. "A clear sense of uneasiness is becoming apparent from their comments."
In addition, the president of Challenger has supposedly confirmed he has not been aware of the deterioration in the working climate during recent years. This is a very surprising statement, given that the majority of those who have communicated with Teamsters Canada organizers have complained about a blatant lack of respect.
"I have worked in organized labour for nearly 40 years and I can confirm that, too often, employers' promises are nothing but empty promises aimed at deceiving workers," explained Mr. Bouvier. "Nothing will change at Challenger if the workers do not take matters into their own hands."
However, the president of Teamsters Canada advises Dan Einwechter to beware of the temptation of wanting to find guilty parties among his staff.
"We have been warned that there might be an investigation into the origin of testimonials posted on our campaign site," added the union president. Challenger management cannot muzzle workers' freedom of expression, and we will employ every method—for as long as necessary—to protect them, regardless of the financial and human resources our union must dedicate to the effort.
Consequently, the Teamsters organizing team will remain in the field and will continue to communicate with workers during the weeks, and even months, to come. Challenger workers may also visit the campaign website at www.teamsters-challenger.ca to stay informed about the latest campaign developments.
The Teamsters Union represents 125,000 members in Canada in all trades. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, with which Teamsters Canada is affiliated, has 1.4 million members in North America.
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Information:
Stéphane Lacroix, Director of Communications, Teamsters Canada
514-609-5101
