How can the Teamsters help us secure our benefits?
Why are the Teamsters the best union for Challenger workers?
How can forming a union give us an effective voice & control?
How much power do the Teamsters have to help us?
What is the process for forming a union?
What can I do or not do to campaign for the union?
What if I’m harassed on the job for trying to form a union?
Who else has joined the Teamsters recently?
Q. How can the Teamsters help us secure our benefits?
A. With a Strong Collective Agreement
You will have a say in the ability to negotiate a binding contract that protects your benefits and other work standards that you care about. All Challenger top managers negotiate contracts to protect their standard of living – why shouldn’t you gain this same right for yourselves and your families?
Q. Why are the Teamsters the best union for Challenger workers?
A. The Teamsters are Nort America’s largest and most powerful union with more than 1.4 million members in over 400 Local Unions accross Canada
The Teamsters represent hundred of thousands of workers in the trucking industry. These workers enjoy better wages, benefits, pensions and working conditions – all contained in a legally binding contract to protect those advantages. There is no other union with the experience, success and strength than the Teamsters can offer!
Q. How can forming a union give us an effective voice & control?
A. Once you form a Union, you gain an effective voice in your wages, benefits and working conditions.
You will determine your own priorities and gain an effective voice by electing a negotiating committee to represent you in bargaining with the company. This will ensure positive changes to secure and improve your existing wages, benefits, pensions and working conditions.
Q. How much power do the Teamsters have to help us?
A. The Teamsters have the vast resources that place us on a more than equal level with Challenger management.
Those vast resources include:
- Researchers
- Organizers
- Trainers
- Negotiators
- Public Relations & Media Experts
- Economic Analysts
- Lobbyists
- Benefit Experts
- Network of Attorneys
Together with those resources we also have strong political power and a sound track record of “getting things done” in Parliament. Further support can be obtained by calling on the 3.2 million member Canadian Labour Congress (a Coalition of Canada’s strongest unions) and the International Transport Federation (an International Coalition of Transportation Unions representing 4.5 million members.
A. Union dues are based upon your hourly rate of pay (base rate excludes all premium pay) and deducted once monthly
On average, we deduct 2.5 times your hourly rate of pay once monthly. You pay no union dues before ratification of your first collective bargaining agreement. There is a $5 admission fee that must be paid by virtue of Canadian law but there are no other fees or contributions.
The Teamsters is 100% funded by members – the union accepts no money from outside sources in order to protect its integrity and independence. Union dues go directly to paying for the costs of operating the union and representing members. Union dues are tax deductible.
Q. What is the process for forming a union?
A. The Canada Labour Code – A law that covers your campaign to form a Union.
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Talk to your co-workers and gain the support of the majority.
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Complete an application card and remit $5.00.
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You will be certified if 50% + 1 are signed.
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An election will be held if 35% sign.
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Determine Bargaining Priorities, elect a Negotiating Committee and begin bargaining with Challenger over your important concerns.
Q. What can I do or not do to campaign for the union?
A. It is your legal right to form a Union.
However, you need to do your job 100% and not let your activities to form a union interfere with your work in any way. It is illegal for Challenger to interfere with your right to organize. Distribution of written materials should only be done during break times or before or after work. If you feel that the Company is violating your freedom to form a union please call us immediately: 1-866-888-6466.
Q. What if I’m harassed on the job for trying to form a union?
A. You have the right to organize under Federal Law!
In the event that happens we will press charges against Challenger to cease the harassment. This also includes wrongful terminations or discipline.
Q. Who else has joined the Teamsters recently?
A. Since 2004, Teamsters Canada has welcomed more than 20,000 new members from various industries.
For example, the majority of Canadian Pacific workers are affiliated with our organization and the same goes for Canadian National and the former Graphic Communications International Union which merged with us a few years ago.
