Sounds like a movie title! I can only wish it was! At least, then, we might stand a chance at a happy ending. We have all heard talk of this word…but do we truly understand it? I will attempt to shed some light on the value of "Attrition" and its impact on collective agreements.

There are many out there who think "Attrition" is a good thing. That all depends on what side of the fence you are sitting on and even then, you are not safe! When a corporation decides to announce to the world they are reducing the work force through attrition, they make it sound like nobody is going to be affected by it. For the "Staff" side of the fence, "Attrition" looks like this: Employees are given the golden handshake and the terms of their package, which is pay, benefits and bonuses for 20 months.

Now, if you are lucky enough to have a Collective Bargaining Agreement, the company would have you believe you are safe; they will tell us – "Nobody will be laid off in the bargaining unit, the reduction in numbers will be done through Attrition" i.e., Retirements, Quits, Disability and Yes! - Even the dreaded "Fired".

What they do not tell you or for that matter, the Union, is when a member has retired from his bid role, we would expect to see another bid posted and the job filled by a qualified person. However, when a company is reducing the workforce, a role may fall under the "Attrition" hammer, never to be seen again by USW members. What the company will do is leave the position vacant or combine the role with another or even simply state "We just do not have the manpower". But, the work is still there. It still needs to be done. So, work continues to pile up and the company says "Contract out the work!" One of the reasons for contracting out is to reduce the "Legacy of debt". This is the amount of money, in addition to your wages, Vale pays to each of us, through pensions and benefits and this is perhaps the "Number One" reason why contracting out is so attractive to companies. It minimizes the legacy of debt.

The bigger picture here is the company slowly, but surely, gets to eat away at the Collective Agreement. What we ask from you is, if you find your job is being eliminated or combined with another role, please contact us. By letting us know, you will be providing us with necessary information, which can be challenged through the grievance system or better yet, through Negotiations. It may also help put some extra pennies in your pocket through the CWS process.

The happy ending to this movie is called an "Arbitration Hearing" where the Arbitrator gets to tell the company they do not have the inherent right to destruct the bargaining unit.

In Solidarity
USW6166

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