I have no problem with "SCABS"!!! they are just people that need money or a job badly enough to work under risk of some sort of possible reprisal. Does anyone out there see the long term effect of crushing "Union Labour".Are you all stupid enough to think that if you are willing to work for less than a Union employee that you won't be asked/forced to work for even less in the future!What Unions are having forced upon them will become not only the norm but will become the future of our children
Overtime after 11 hours isn't unrealistic, and that's what the attendants would like. But what the company would like is to have the attendants, already coming off a 3 year wage freeze, to take a 2% wage DECREASE. How is that realistic? The company has spent a million or more keeping it's attendants locked out, that money would have given them 3 times over what they had asked for.
I always snicker when I see propaganda videos like this where there is lots of "the employer is bad, the employer is not bargaining in good faith" talk, but the people watching the video are never provided with the hard numbers they can use to decide for themselves who is really being unreasonable. Is it because the union doesn't want the public to know that the kind of money and benefits they are asking for are unrealistic at best and patently absurd at worst?
It's now been 7 months that the attendants have been locked out, and the company has not returned to the bargaining table since July 8/11. This does not sound like bargaining in good faith to me. When there are so many fantastic travel options out there, I hope that people will give a second thought to spending their money supporting a company that treats their long-term, dedicated staff so unethically.
Nobody would tell a teacher or a paramedic who was locked out to just, "get a new job". These people have jobs that were wrongfully taken from them. The company won't even provide references for those that have attempted to move into something new. Even after up to 22 years of stellar service with no negative reviews on their file. Rocky Mountaineer is a sinking ship and the locked out staff should be grateful that they are not on it.
If you would like to support the onboard train attendants, an online petition has been created at change.org, search Rocky Mountaineer (I can't seem to post the direct link here).
I'm 50/50 with regard to unions. I've worked indirectly with Air Canada ground crew; unionized employees who are absolutely useless. On the flip side, I've also worked for a company that treated me terribly, and as a non-union worker, the got away with it (for now). I can really appreciate what unions can provide and this sounds like a completely necessary strike due to the unfair terms by the company. It's very sad when any company loses sight on the importance of the people making it run.
by the sounds of it you all should consider new employment life goes on and i think the job description is not rocket science as it is an entry level position im sure the new on boards have what it takes other wise they wouldnt have been hired...im feel bad you are out of a job but if you loved your jobs you should have never voted yes for a strike...best of luck to both parties i hope it get settled soon on behalf of the guests...
Guess management figures that, given the cost of their trips, the customers won't care. They are wrong. I will not cross a picket line. I will tell others.
@rosahill This is very unfortunate for guests, like myself who have booked a trip months before this dispute. Im sure that not all guests are ambivalent to what is going on, but we have been placed in a difficult situation. I have saved for over a year to ride on this train as the trip of a lifetime. I've seen that some people are forfeiting their tickets, but I can't afford to throw away £1000 by refusing to cross a picket line. T&C of our booking means that we would not get a refund.
@russj1975 I am so sorry that the company has put you in this position. What I would suggest is to write and let them know that this is unacceptable behavior. I would also suggest posting on Tripadvisor...at this time there are many posts on Tripadvisor that are positive but are referencing trips taken before the lockout, giving new potential guests incorrect information. The right information needs to get out there.
Disgraceful - that the Federal 'laws' of Canada allow this! My daughter has been asking to take a trip on the Rocky Mountaineer - it was planned for August - it will definitely NOT happen until these union workers are back at their jobs.
I really like the way you've presented the information. I'm sharing it with all my email contacts and on facebook. I hope the company sees the light very soon and gets back to the table with you.
I am sorry to all employees locked out. Let me ask you this however, what is your current wage to start? You have medical benefits and that is great. What people don't realize is that many employees in the service industry don't have your same luxury. Most are paid minimum wage with zero benefits. You have it better than most so be greatful and don't show the greed that you claim is by the company. It is by you and more importantly your union as they are as much a business as Rocky Mount.
@Falcons0255 They don't have medical benefits. Apparently they get a small amount of money that they can direct to medical expenses but that small amount nowhere near covers those expenses. This is a MOVING train that they are working on. There is a lot of bumping and jarring and shifting. I imagine it is a lot more challenging than walking on a non-moving ground like in a restaurant/bar. Their days also are from 12-16 hours, again much longer than your standard serving position.
@MrHearya I understand what you are saying and the role they do as I work in the industry and have done trains and boats in my past history. Neither is easy and I am not downplaying what these people do. To be blunt, unions protect the underperforming employees and don't reward the great ones. People are treated based on tenure and not performance. The real fight is about the union and not wage or benefits. The staff want increased wage, give it to em and decertify the union.
@Falcons0255 The RM Onboard Attendants do not have medical benefits. Their basic MSP is covered by the company only during the 6 months of the year that they are on the train. That's it. No extended Medical or Dental benefits have ever been offered to any of the Attendants, no matter their years of service or seniority.
@mumblescares Thanks mumbles. It is also important to remind people that everyone else in the company, everyone, has extended health and dental benefits all year.
@Falcons0255 Everyone else in the company, including other onboard staff, have extended health and dental benefits. If everyone just sat back and said this sort of treatment was okay then we would still have children cleaning chimneys. Just because these workers are in the service industry does not mean they should be treated like less than everyone else.
As a former Greyline of Vancouver employee we are hugely sympathetic with your situation. Peter Armstrong's dirty little secret is his Union Busting tactics. He did this with Greyline of Vancouver, Victoria and Banff. He used threatening and illegal tactics back then ( 2007 ) against our workers and he is using them again on you. The BC Federation of Labour should.investigate into RM's past. RM has many, many dirty little secrets and cares NOTHING about it's workers. It is all a big facade .
I believe the lack of medical coverage is shameful especially if reimbursed. The overtime pay for over 11 hours if sleep and off time isn't included should be a given in an employment environment.
I personally do not believe in the modern validity of unions, or support them, but medical coverage, overtime pay for work being done and consecutive hours working, should be a given.. and should be in any employment situation.
By law, and ethics I abide by the 8 hours then overtime.Everyone should.
@Alarbee It isn't Unions that make me give my employees benefits. Canada has labour standards, WCB, etc.
I worked my whole life without being in a union, around a union or associated with a union, saved money, started a business etc.
simply stated without getting into a debate. Unions exist under the science of economics to maximize individual pay and minimize overall employment. Unions had a valuable role that forced govt. to set up standards, and oversight, but that is done.
@HolySalmon Unions engaged in a long and protracted struggle to secure the working conditions that the various levels of government currently enforce. Under the pressure of neoliberal ideology the banking regulations enacted in the US following the great depression where abandoned and resulted in the devastation of the world economy in 2008. Under pressure of neoliberal ideology, labour standards are under attack and without unions we could easily return to those days before there were unions.
@HolySalmon I don't doubt that you are an honorable employer and treat your workers fairly. Walmart, on the other hand, is not governed by the moral standards you practice and pauperizes whole communities for the sake of their bottom line. They have also made sure that no union interferes with their right to exploit brutally.
@Alarbee also, don't use terms GREEDY business. I could use similar global sterotypes such as lazy unions, (teamsters) or Unions killing small business, but that is not a global truth, and I don't use it.
and corporate elite? Last time I checked I wasn't "elite"
@HolySalmon What did you check to find that there is no corporate elite with strong influence on government policy. As to GREED: Corporations are responsible to their shareholders to maximize profits. If it means laying off workers then that is what they will do. There is no responsibility to anyone but their shareholders. The laws of capital accumulation dictate this and the result is that greed is satisfied and the needs of the poor are ignored. Any departure from greed means bankruptcy.
@Alarbee Largely that is an American situation. I do agree that corporate donations to political parties should be eliminated, but that's not in the hands of unions. That's up to the public in general to force politicians to do so. Until that happens corporations will have a say.
I have to say that if economic tough times happen I will lay off people too. It's how it works, If I don't and I close my business then everyone is fired. but enough of union debates. My oppinion is set and so is yours
Boy, does this remind me of the old Wardair days. We too were on strike with a one man owner/operator who used the exact same tactics. Threats, intimidation and no intention of fair and equitable bargaining. It ended badly for us and I sure hope you do better. We have a trip booked for late September and I can tell you now that we will cancel it rather than be served by scabs! Best of luck.
I have no problem with "SCABS"!!! they are just people that need money or a job badly enough to work under risk of some sort of possible reprisal. Does anyone out there see the long term effect of crushing "Union Labour".Are you all stupid enough to think that if you are willing to work for less than a Union employee that you won't be asked/forced to work for even less in the future!What Unions are having forced upon them will become not only the norm but will become the future of our children
kerrym86 1 week ago
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Freespiritus 1 week ago
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Freespiritus 1 week ago
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YOU GUYS GOT EGG IN YOUR FACE, I SAY FoOie 2 U
wolfdawg101 2 weeks ago
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wolfdawg101 2 weeks ago
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wolfdawg101 2 weeks ago
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wolfdawg101 2 weeks ago
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wolfdawg101 2 weeks ago
Overtime after 11 hours isn't unrealistic, and that's what the attendants would like. But what the company would like is to have the attendants, already coming off a 3 year wage freeze, to take a 2% wage DECREASE. How is that realistic? The company has spent a million or more keeping it's attendants locked out, that money would have given them 3 times over what they had asked for.
21alistar 3 weeks ago
I always snicker when I see propaganda videos like this where there is lots of "the employer is bad, the employer is not bargaining in good faith" talk, but the people watching the video are never provided with the hard numbers they can use to decide for themselves who is really being unreasonable. Is it because the union doesn't want the public to know that the kind of money and benefits they are asking for are unrealistic at best and patently absurd at worst?
rockymountainsunrise 4 weeks ago 2
It's now been 7 months that the attendants have been locked out, and the company has not returned to the bargaining table since July 8/11. This does not sound like bargaining in good faith to me. When there are so many fantastic travel options out there, I hope that people will give a second thought to spending their money supporting a company that treats their long-term, dedicated staff so unethically.
lookingforrespect 1 month ago
Nobody would tell a teacher or a paramedic who was locked out to just, "get a new job". These people have jobs that were wrongfully taken from them. The company won't even provide references for those that have attempted to move into something new. Even after up to 22 years of stellar service with no negative reviews on their file. Rocky Mountaineer is a sinking ship and the locked out staff should be grateful that they are not on it.
MrFreedomofExpressio 3 months ago
If you would like to support the onboard train attendants, an online petition has been created at change.org, search Rocky Mountaineer (I can't seem to post the direct link here).
lookingforrespect 5 months ago
I'm 50/50 with regard to unions. I've worked indirectly with Air Canada ground crew; unionized employees who are absolutely useless. On the flip side, I've also worked for a company that treated me terribly, and as a non-union worker, the got away with it (for now). I can really appreciate what unions can provide and this sounds like a completely necessary strike due to the unfair terms by the company. It's very sad when any company loses sight on the importance of the people making it run.
soccermomd00d 5 months ago 2
We were planning a trip with your company, but we will wait till the rightful crew is BACK!!!
hawaiidoves 5 months ago 2
by the sounds of it you all should consider new employment life goes on and i think the job description is not rocket science as it is an entry level position im sure the new on boards have what it takes other wise they wouldnt have been hired...im feel bad you are out of a job but if you loved your jobs you should have never voted yes for a strike...best of luck to both parties i hope it get settled soon on behalf of the guests...
prettynativefal 6 months ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
On board attendants weren't given enough time to coordinate a vote????????? BULLSHIT
SuperFlipadelphia 6 months ago
@SuperFlipadelphia My my such language, you sound like a scab. Or maybe a sympathizer of corporate gluttons. Either way, you're wrong.
rockymountainlockout 6 months ago 2
@SuperFlipadelphia Not bullshit. it's the truth. These are all tried and true tactics to be used by a company who wishes to bust a union.
mumblescares 6 months ago
@SuperFlipadelphia ...obviously you are uneducated and have never lost your job !!!
sjnath 6 months ago
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SuperFlipadelphia 6 months ago
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SuperFlipadelphia 6 months ago
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SuperFlipadelphia 6 months ago
Guess management figures that, given the cost of their trips, the customers won't care. They are wrong. I will not cross a picket line. I will tell others.
rosahill 7 months ago 3
@rosahill This is very unfortunate for guests, like myself who have booked a trip months before this dispute. Im sure that not all guests are ambivalent to what is going on, but we have been placed in a difficult situation. I have saved for over a year to ride on this train as the trip of a lifetime. I've seen that some people are forfeiting their tickets, but I can't afford to throw away £1000 by refusing to cross a picket line. T&C of our booking means that we would not get a refund.
russj1975 6 months ago
@russj1975 I am so sorry that the company has put you in this position. What I would suggest is to write and let them know that this is unacceptable behavior. I would also suggest posting on Tripadvisor...at this time there are many posts on Tripadvisor that are positive but are referencing trips taken before the lockout, giving new potential guests incorrect information. The right information needs to get out there.
lookingforrespect 6 months ago
Disgraceful - that the Federal 'laws' of Canada allow this! My daughter has been asking to take a trip on the Rocky Mountaineer - it was planned for August - it will definitely NOT happen until these union workers are back at their jobs.
gailchaddock 7 months ago 3
I really like the way you've presented the information. I'm sharing it with all my email contacts and on facebook. I hope the company sees the light very soon and gets back to the table with you.
enorabv 7 months ago 3
I am sorry to all employees locked out. Let me ask you this however, what is your current wage to start? You have medical benefits and that is great. What people don't realize is that many employees in the service industry don't have your same luxury. Most are paid minimum wage with zero benefits. You have it better than most so be greatful and don't show the greed that you claim is by the company. It is by you and more importantly your union as they are as much a business as Rocky Mount.
Falcons0255 7 months ago
@Falcons0255 They don't have medical benefits. Apparently they get a small amount of money that they can direct to medical expenses but that small amount nowhere near covers those expenses. This is a MOVING train that they are working on. There is a lot of bumping and jarring and shifting. I imagine it is a lot more challenging than walking on a non-moving ground like in a restaurant/bar. Their days also are from 12-16 hours, again much longer than your standard serving position.
MrHearya 7 months ago
@MrHearya I understand what you are saying and the role they do as I work in the industry and have done trains and boats in my past history. Neither is easy and I am not downplaying what these people do. To be blunt, unions protect the underperforming employees and don't reward the great ones. People are treated based on tenure and not performance. The real fight is about the union and not wage or benefits. The staff want increased wage, give it to em and decertify the union.
Falcons0255 7 months ago
@Falcons0255 The RM Onboard Attendants do not have medical benefits. Their basic MSP is covered by the company only during the 6 months of the year that they are on the train. That's it. No extended Medical or Dental benefits have ever been offered to any of the Attendants, no matter their years of service or seniority.
mumblescares 7 months ago 2
@mumblescares Thanks mumbles. It is also important to remind people that everyone else in the company, everyone, has extended health and dental benefits all year.
MrFreedomofExpressio 3 months ago
@Falcons0255 Everyone else in the company, including other onboard staff, have extended health and dental benefits. If everyone just sat back and said this sort of treatment was okay then we would still have children cleaning chimneys. Just because these workers are in the service industry does not mean they should be treated like less than everyone else.
MrFreedomofExpressio 3 months ago
As a former Greyline of Vancouver employee we are hugely sympathetic with your situation. Peter Armstrong's dirty little secret is his Union Busting tactics. He did this with Greyline of Vancouver, Victoria and Banff. He used threatening and illegal tactics back then ( 2007 ) against our workers and he is using them again on you. The BC Federation of Labour should.investigate into RM's past. RM has many, many dirty little secrets and cares NOTHING about it's workers. It is all a big facade .
SennaDeSilva35 7 months ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
Fucking scabs...I hope they all die...
cranshaaft 7 months ago
Corporate greed knows no bounds.
Alarbee 7 months ago 6
The 2 dislikes for the video are most likely Peter Armstrong and Randy Powell.....or maybe 2 of the scabs who are working the train!
llewxam1949 7 months ago 5
SHAME on this company and anyone who crosses the picket lines !
cariboodaze 7 months ago 9
I believe the lack of medical coverage is shameful especially if reimbursed. The overtime pay for over 11 hours if sleep and off time isn't included should be a given in an employment environment.
I personally do not believe in the modern validity of unions, or support them, but medical coverage, overtime pay for work being done and consecutive hours working, should be a given.. and should be in any employment situation.
By law, and ethics I abide by the 8 hours then overtime.Everyone should.
HolySalmon 7 months ago 11
@HolySalmon Without unions what incentive does a greedy corporate elite have to provide decent benefits?
Alarbee 7 months ago 5
@Alarbee It isn't Unions that make me give my employees benefits. Canada has labour standards, WCB, etc.
I worked my whole life without being in a union, around a union or associated with a union, saved money, started a business etc.
simply stated without getting into a debate. Unions exist under the science of economics to maximize individual pay and minimize overall employment. Unions had a valuable role that forced govt. to set up standards, and oversight, but that is done.
HolySalmon 7 months ago
@HolySalmon Unions engaged in a long and protracted struggle to secure the working conditions that the various levels of government currently enforce. Under the pressure of neoliberal ideology the banking regulations enacted in the US following the great depression where abandoned and resulted in the devastation of the world economy in 2008. Under pressure of neoliberal ideology, labour standards are under attack and without unions we could easily return to those days before there were unions.
Alarbee 7 months ago
@HolySalmon I don't doubt that you are an honorable employer and treat your workers fairly. Walmart, on the other hand, is not governed by the moral standards you practice and pauperizes whole communities for the sake of their bottom line. They have also made sure that no union interferes with their right to exploit brutally.
Alarbee 7 months ago
@Alarbee also, don't use terms GREEDY business. I could use similar global sterotypes such as lazy unions, (teamsters) or Unions killing small business, but that is not a global truth, and I don't use it.
and corporate elite? Last time I checked I wasn't "elite"
HolySalmon 7 months ago
@HolySalmon What did you check to find that there is no corporate elite with strong influence on government policy. As to GREED: Corporations are responsible to their shareholders to maximize profits. If it means laying off workers then that is what they will do. There is no responsibility to anyone but their shareholders. The laws of capital accumulation dictate this and the result is that greed is satisfied and the needs of the poor are ignored. Any departure from greed means bankruptcy.
Alarbee 7 months ago
@Alarbee Largely that is an American situation. I do agree that corporate donations to political parties should be eliminated, but that's not in the hands of unions. That's up to the public in general to force politicians to do so. Until that happens corporations will have a say.
I have to say that if economic tough times happen I will lay off people too. It's how it works, If I don't and I close my business then everyone is fired. but enough of union debates. My oppinion is set and so is yours
HolySalmon 7 months ago
@HolySalmon Also, everyone else in the company, everyone, receives extended health and dental benefits. Everyone.
MrFreedomofExpressio 3 months ago
I won't be booking any trips until they've let the Real Onboard staff back.
This is how companies want to do business now. This is how companies want to treat their staff.
It's not okay. It's not okay to treat people like this.
Shame on the corporate climbers who treat working people like they are just a number and a bottom line.
Themarjmar 7 months ago 22
Boy, does this remind me of the old Wardair days. We too were on strike with a one man owner/operator who used the exact same tactics. Threats, intimidation and no intention of fair and equitable bargaining. It ended badly for us and I sure hope you do better. We have a trip booked for late September and I can tell you now that we will cancel it rather than be served by scabs! Best of luck.
appelder 7 months ago 16
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RL36D 7 months ago