COPE 378 Pickets Go Up at Hertz Locations, Including YVR
COPE 378 members at Hertz Car Rental set up picket lines Tuesday, February 2nd at Vancouver International Airport and several other Lower Mainland locations. The job action comes following a vote to reject the company’s final offer, which seeks to systematically replace full-time workers with part-time employees.
The job action could cause widespread disruption at YVR and other locations just as Vancouver is heading into the Olympic period. COPE 378 also represents employees at all other YVR car rental locations.
COPE 378 and Hertz have been bargaining since October 2009. The collective agreement expired October 31, 2009.
On December 1, 2009, the union conducted a strike vote. The membership cast their ballots 100% in favour of a strike.
Bargaining Issues
Job Security: This is the lightning rod issue for COPE 378 members. Hertz is systematically replacing full-time workers with part-time employees, and laying-off long term employees in order of seniority.
Wages: Hertz landed a lucrative ICBC contract and their senior executives have publically said they are looking forward to a profitable year. But they’re proposing zero to minimal wage increases, keeping wages below the industry standard. Starting wages are for Customer Service Reps and drivers are $12.44/hour and $12.86/hour respectively.
COPE 378 joined Hertz in mediation in January, 2010. The employer remained fixed, especially on the matter of job security, and talks broke off. The union issued 72 hour strike notice on January 26th, 2010, putting us in a legal position to strike on Friday, January 29th at 11:30 am.
On January 27th, 2010 Hertz tabled another ‘final offer”. The bargaining committee – with representation from each department within Hertz – unanimously rejected the offer.
The employer responded by invoking Section 78, forcing a monitored Final Offer Vote on the tabled offer. Their offer continued to ignore the core issue of job security.
The vote was held on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Ministry of Labour’s offices in Richmond. COPE 378’s Hertz members voted to reject the offer.
Hertz has an exclusive contract to service ICBC replacement vehicles across BC. COPE 378’s members work in the central distribution area and represent the mechanics who service the vehicles that eventually make it to the ICBC fleet.
COPE 378 represents about 50 members at Hertz Canada. Hertz is one of the largest car rental companies in the world and has operated for over 80 years. COPE 378 has represented employees at Hertz Canada since 1969. Most of COPE 378’s Hertz members have been solid, loyal employees for more than 10 years.
