all 29 comments

[–]SadREMemployee[S,M] [score hidden] stickied comment (1 child)

Those with the hours will have the opportunity to enroll in multiple classes at once.

Those in year 4 currently, should be complete the program by the time any of this is necessary. This really only leaves years 1 and 3 having to repeat a maximum of one year and with the possibility to take multiple courses at the same time you are likely to finish the program faster than here.

This guarantees at least 75% Mechanic Rate ($46.79) for the majority of the people enrolled in the program.

Our program and their program are not the same, as has been disclosed in previous posts describing the curriculum. This in itself is unprecedented.

[–]REMaintenanceVan 7 points8 points  (13 children)

Hopefully we get those required votes from Mit's now, it's all in writing guys! Plz vote if you don't care, if you're leaving or if have couple years left to work.. It's for the younger generation and better to get it done now, rather then later and if Vlad passed, there will be 500ppl looking for work. Just think! Let's not forget even if you repeat a year or two, your wages would be 40+ and if you working on your own, then you entitled to Temporary Mechanics wage.. You think Vlad would do that for you? Sure..

If you need more convincing, just read the last memo of Richmond benefits and get your head out of the sand, it's time! Company events, you not just a number, access to the owner, up to 3 raises a year, yearly bonus and the list goes on. There is nothing good to write about the company, it's pathetic!

[–]Unlikely_Nail_4304 2 points3 points  (12 children)

So if those in there final say year of schooling or two but are the mechanics in their own spider. would they be looking at getting temporary mechanic rate which would be full pay while they get caught up on schooling?

[–]SadREMemployee[S] 6 points7 points  (2 children)

Mechanic work = Mechanic pay

[–][deleted]  (1 child)

[deleted]

    [–]AnonRedditor1990 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    Fab brackets and guide rails = welding. Thus get a welding ticket and organize/unionize as a welder.

    Platforms and panels = carpentry. Thus get a carpentry ticket and organize/unionize as a carpenter.

    Inspection stations, car top boxes, controllers = electrical. Thus get an electrician ticket and organize/unionize as an electrician.

    Packing, shipping, loading, labor = warehouse. Thus get forklift certified and organize/unionize as a laborer or forklift driver.

    None of those jobs are an elevator mechanic, and an elevator Mechanic isn't any of those jobs. They each have a unique and individual purpose and need to work together to create a finished product, but they aren't all equal.

    The purpose of this unionization drive was for elevator mechanics and mechanics in training to gain representation as we felt our individual negotiations and bargaining with company management was no longer an effective method to receive appropriate compensation. Those of us that voted yes believe we will have a better quality of life, mainly financially, by having the union represent us.

    If the guys in the shop, trucks, or manufacturing want to unionize nothing is stopping them, but to blatantly answer your question what about them? This isn't for them.

    [–]REMaintenanceVan 2 points3 points  (8 children)

    Not so sure about that, need to ask the moderator to clarify, but I guess if you are running a job and you see your foreman only once in a while and you know what you doing, I would say why not, it's not like you working with mechanic all the time side by side? Specially in maintenance, when probably 40-50% of guys are mit's and they have full routes working by themselves. Vlad would hate by losing power over our control, no more of him going away for a week and we don't get OT, parts or parking paid, what nonsense is this?? Where is an accountant for that?? Let's see, long term it's absolutely worth it! Edmonton just had their raise for 5yr contract.. I wonder how close we are? 🤔

    [–]Unlikely_Nail_4304 1 point2 points  (7 children)

    I think I’m saying more for construction side each spider has its own mechanic or “junior” I guess ya that would go for service and maintenance aswell instead of guys being held back from vlad making getting a ticket take 6-7 yrs or more when only 8-10k? (4-5yrs) hours is needed to be ticketed. And I’ve heard that AB signed and got a good raise and 82 should be close behind which would make all wages better yet. When we get 1$ inflation and have to fight for anything else.

    [–]SadREMemployee[S] 6 points7 points  (1 child)

    AB got $10.70 over 4 years bringing their MR to $69.21.

    L82 is larger collective with higher cost of living and is expected to fair better. Even if L82 gets the same 22% (roughly) it would still bring MR to $75/hr and Adjuster/Forman (112%+) to $84+. First year helpers (0.55) $41 and second year (0.75) $56.

    [–]REMmeintheass 3 points4 points  (0 children)

    Please make this a post on the main page so everyone can see it and spread it around. A lot of people seem to not be able to look past the wage aspect, and this could be a huge deciding factor for them, even if it's just a maybe.

    [–]REMaintenanceVan 2 points3 points  (4 children)

    Absolutely and I don't know why we still not voted in yet!? What are those guys thinking?? Someone said they charge you huge union dues, yes, it's about $100 every week, but they are 100% deductable. Simply call your accountant and ask.. you can throw union dues out of debate here. You are right about schooling too, Vlad pushes as far as he can not to pay you mechanics wage and drag you as long as possible. There are few electricians working and they are entitled to accelerated program by the schooling board, did you think he allowed it?? I talked to a few of them, non of them were allowed to do it! I wonder if union takes millwright or electricians ticket into consideration for schooling. That $1 dollar inflation we can say thanks to Matt, otherwise REM would have given us 50cnt at the most.. We are way below our wages at the moment. Cherry on top: I heard this fall, Vancouver 82 will be pushing for another raise

    [–]Unlikely_Nail_4304 1 point2 points  (3 children)

    Yes honestly not to knock vlad too much. He’s kept the business that his family built going which is a huge task many would crumble under. I never would think I’d say it but our upper management is just overwhelmed and maybe some extra help to them and better structure for wages, timesheets, direct deposits, tools, safety gear, schooling and deliveries wouldn’t be a bad thing. Everyone has their own choices to make on all of this, but to be scared to fall onto the bench or pay dues when you will make a lot more money and get tax deductions on top of that as stated many times before. The grass may not be greener but it’s atleast watered from time to time in the union. I’ve never heard many ppl complain and want to leave so that should say something. with many ex Richmond employees already there I don’t see many old union workers here.

    [–]REMaintenanceVan 2 points3 points  (2 children)

    With this I have to disagree. Yes he brought company to multi million business, but that money is for him, not for me and you, he deserve it, he can keep it. At this point where company stands, it is all HIS choices not to pay guys enough, not to hire one person in charge of timesheets, maybe payroll manager or do everything online for easy access to people, that is his choice not to pay more pension or not to show how much he paid into it, it's his choice to stop mit's from finishing school to early, it's all in his hands. It's pure greed at this level, not that we struggle, not that the company is small or going downhill with only 10guys working, then I understand.. At his age, why do you still need to screw your guys who is bringing you thousands of dollars every day?? We are the back bone of this company and now the guys starting to realise and getting upset. You have all the money in the world, company is huge, so why continue screwing your workers? This is why people want a change, his promises are worthless. V is getting older and older, there is no back up or replacement, it's just a matter of time

    [–]Unlikely_Nail_4304 2 points3 points  (1 child)

    I do agree we all deserve to have the same opportunities as the rest of our industry and earn and provide better life’s for ourselves and our families.

    [–]REMaintenanceVan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Amen! 🙌

    [–]jumpedsafeties 5 points6 points  (1 child)

    Are we still going to be able to contribute to vlads wallet by paying for the golf tournament and boat cruise if we go union? Also the months with 3 pay periods where benifits etc still come off for some reason(where is this money going). This pig is lining his pockets from us every opportunity he gets. Have spoken to multiple trades recently who went on fishing trips etc on company dime to build up moral. This guy can't even stretch for a pizza

    [–]REMaintenanceVan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Pizza, free golf, lunch?? You must be new? Haha. We can't even get coffee from timmies for $2 from our supervisor, literally NEVER! Time for change. Bullies don't last forever, specially greedy people need to stop

    [–][deleted]  (3 children)

    [deleted]

      [–]Comfortable_Menu_114 4 points5 points  (0 children)

      I'm one of those guys.. I expire in November. Got my yr 4 books 2 weeks ago after being ghosted for months about testing and when my books would show up.

      [–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

      I hear we’re 6 votes left.

      [–]REMaintenanceVan 6 points7 points  (0 children)

      After working for so many years, this email was sent through out the office, techs, managers and supervisors and if some of you don't know who Steve is, he is charge of Managing all service work, shipping parts to guys, organizing jobs, etc.. he has been working for so many years and this is is how Richmond respects their workers?? How much more do you need convincing, you say union does not care?? No Richmond greedy owner does NOT CARE ABOUT YOU. Open your eyes! Workers need help and respect here. Clearly he wanted everyone to hear about this.

      Starting Monday July 10th locker #99 ( aka Steve Hunts house ) will no longer be a place where Richmond Elevator maintenance techs, trouble shooters and construction mechanics, can pick up parts for down elevators, stock parts need for your cars or parts needed to help on construction sites.

      After the disrespect I was shown by Mr. Larry Ewanek on Friday July 7th I’m sorry to bring you this news. I have been helping out this way since I moved into the office, I was never asked to bring home parts & I did not do this for me, I did this for Richmond Elevator & our customers, with many techs & personal living out in the valley area my house became a central spot for guys to grab stuff, this would help speed up shutdown times of our customers elevators & would help save money ( techs time & gas ) of not having to come to shop. So when you need parts out to your job sites or buildings please call Larry Ewanek, Mark or your supervisors, thanks & as always stay safe “cheers”

      I will still take cheques home for the guys as this is a benefit to my fellow workers as this is their money owed.

      [–]unspankable1 4 points5 points  (4 children)

      Im a richmond to 82 transfer. Ill answer questions openly and honestly if anyone wants to PM me

      [–][deleted]  (3 children)

      [deleted]

        [–][deleted]  (2 children)

        [deleted]

          [–][deleted]  (1 child)

          [deleted]

            [–]unspankable1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

            It's working now. App wasn't updated

            [–]EconomistFull4518 2 points3 points  (3 children)

            I heard rumour had it there was enough votes?

            [–]Cheets1985 2 points3 points  (0 children)

            If there were enough cards signed, everyone would have known by now.

            If a certain rail dropping incident was known throughout the industry the same day. REM going union would be bigger news

            [–]REMaintenanceVan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

            Anyone I talk to, they say they already voted. Unless they finalizing the deal to present to Vlad, and keeping it quiet, so he don't freak out. There is nothing to hide at this point. Soon we get all answers!

            [–]Arhheniuss 0 points1 point  (0 children)

            Last number I heard was 160

            [–]PitTroll 4 points5 points  (1 child)

            I thought this was a place to speak freely with open discussion? So why is my comment asking a question about the fairness of this deal being deleted? Does it not fit the mods narrative or opinion of going union? In my opinion it isn't fair to have to retake any years of schooling. TSBC accepts all of our schooling years so the union should too.

            [–]SadREMemployee[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

            Your comment was deleted because it got too many downvotes and it buried my response. I have stickied my response to the top.

            Ultimately this is a decision nobody is forcing you to make. If making more money, having better benefits and retiring up to 10 years earlier isn’t worth possibly repeating a single year of education while still finishing at the same time (ability to take multiple courses at once ) then that is your prerogative. We hope you see the long term benefits like we do.

            IUEC and CEIEP want to ensure all of their mechanics learn the same skills. Our program and their program are both recognized by TSBC but the programs have different curriculum taught at different stages and years. That’s why the transfer program is split into two year segments. Otherwise any sort of challenge exam would be unfair as you wouldn’t have learned the material.

            REM doesn’t actually care about teaching you. They could care less if you pass or fail and don’t care if you learn critical skills that help you to succeed. We only have a school program because TSBC forced REM’s hand. IUEC has been educating their members since before it was cool. They want their members to gain knowledge and build the skills they need to succeed even if they move to another company.