We hope that Civeo has heard the message

Following the rejection of the Company’s offer on Friday, UFCW Local 401 President Thomas Hesse tabled an emergency resolution at the Alberta Federation of Labour Convention on Saturday about the situation with Civeo.  

“It was important that our members know they have the support of Alberta’s entire labour movement,” said Hesse. “It was equally important to have Civeo hear that we are not afraid to take on any fight, regardless of whether it is with big oil, a retail giant, or the largest private food processor in the world.”  

Click here to see the emergency resolution that President Hesse tabled. 

After a conversation with Mediator Mark Asbell on Monday, the Negotiating Committee met to discuss next steps. The Committee agreed that if the Company was willing to return to mediation and add something to their last offer, it would be worth hearing what they had to offer.  

“Open and transparent bargaining is a key part of what Secretary Treasurer Richelle Stewart and I stand for,” continued Hesse. “We insisted bargaining happen at the camps in front of the members. And when COVID stopped us from meeting face to face, we insisted that all members be allowed to join bargaining virtually.”  

Hesse added that the union will be surveying the entire Civeo union membership to ensure that the Negotiating Committee is fully briefed on their priorities when we head back to the table on May 27 and 28. 

Click here for the first of two surveys seeking your input on bargaining priorities in mediation.

We will take the top three responses and resurvey the membership before we head back to the table.  

We will be meeting with Mediator Mark Asbell and the Employer on May 27 and 28, and then voting on the improvements to their offer on-site May 31 and June 1. There will be an online vote for those who are not able to vote in person on June 2.  

If you have any questions, please contact Clayton Herriot at 780-742-4257 and cherriot@ufcw401.ab.ca or Chris O’Halloran at 587-999-6448 and cohalloran@ufcw401.ab.ca.