Through the Common Interest Forum, changes to the Collective Agreement were proposed and then these changes were approved through a ratification process involving the Bargaining Unit employees. The purpose of this Advisory is to make you aware of these changes and how they impact your employees.  The changes to the Collective Agreement are in three key areas:

1. Per Diem amounts as identified in Article 19 of the CA.
2. Reimbursement for some Safety Footwear, as identified in Article 10 of the CA.
3. Inclusion of Group Assured Access in Article 28 as part of the Flexconnect program.

Changes to per diem amounts

The changes to the per diem amounts, currently shown in your Collective Agreement in Article 19.07 are as follows, and are effective as of July 3, 2009.  If employees have been reimbursed for per diems using the old rates since July 3, they are eligible to submit the difference between the old and new rates.

Bell Aliant         Labrador/Outside Atlantic          
$10.00              $11.80                                     Breakfast
$14.00              $16.50                                     Mid Tour Meal
$26.00              $30.95                                     Evening Meal
$8.00                $9.60                                       Miscellaneous
$58.00              $68.85                                     Total     

Safety Footwear Reimbursement changes.

With respect to Safety Footwear, the change was made to Article 10.08.  This change resulted in an increase in the reimbursement amount for Line Boots as shown in Article 10.08 a).  The amount eligible for reimbursement has increased to $300.00 for Line Boots (for employees who regularly climb).  Another change is that ‘an additional $40.00 can be made available, at the discretion of the manager, for employees who can justify the need for a fully waterproof Safety Boot.  If employees have submitted receipts for line boots or waterproof safety boots, the new rates are effective as of July 3, 2009 and employees would be eligible for the difference between the old and new rates.

Inclusion of Group Assured Access

Article 28.02f) was amended to reflect the addition of Group Assured Access into the Flexconnect program. The changes to the Flexconnect program are effective this fall as per the Connexion communications on the topic.