Contents

Collective Agreements

Unanimous ratification for members at Canadian Waste Services

On March 15, 2004, members at Canadian Waste Services in Windsor unanimously renewed a three-year collective agreement with several improvements.

Workers benefit from the following highlights:

• All rates and classifications receive wage increases of 50 cents per hour retroactive to January 1, 2004, 45 cents per hour in the second year and 40 cents per hour in the final year of the deal.

• Members each receive a $250 signing bonus in the form of a gift certificate.

• Workers starting their shift after 3 pm receive an improved shift premium of 60 cents per hour, up from 50 cents. Workers starting their scheduled shift after 11 pm receive a shift premium of 85 cents per hour, up from 75 cents.

• Members receive improved health and welfare coverage and pension benefits resulting from increased contributions to the UFCW Trusteed Benefits, Dental and Pension Plans.

• With respect to pension benefits, members receive an additional 36 cents per hour, retroactive to January 1, 2004, which brings the total contribution to $1.05 per hour.

• The company will provide $125 to each worker in each year of the agreement for purchase of work boots.

• Language in the renewed agreement establishes a Health & Safety Committee, which will help maintain a secure and safe work environment for all workers.

Union Negotiating Committee: Joe Mikail, Tim O’Donnell, Willy Rollo, Ed Tremblay and Union Rep Julie Johnston.

• Wage increases totaling between 90 cents per hour and $2.27 per hour, over the course of the agreement.

• The current health and welfare plan will continue as is and on January 1, 2006 the company will begin contributions to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP).

• Strong anti-discrimination and anti-harassment language to provide every worker with a safe work environment.

• Important Health & Safety language establishing guidelines and a Health & Safety Committee.

Union Negotiating Committee: Todd Boswell, Brad Iwononkiw and Northern Regional Director, Shawn Haggerty.

• Across-the-board wage increases of 1 per cent in the first year, 1.5 per cent in year two and 2 per cent in the last year of the deal.

• Increased pension contributions by the company to CCWIPP bringing the improved member benefit to $33.23 per month per full year of future credited service, by the end of the contract term.

• A one-time lump sum payment of $6,000 to CCWIPP by March 31, 2004, which results in a pension adjustment of $1000 in additional money for each worker.

• Improved vision care coverage up to $150 per 24 months, up from $100 for both full and part-time workers.

• Required courses and transportation for such courses will be paid for by the company.

• Two-day increase to paid compassionate leave entitlement.

• Workers with 20 years of service or more receive an improved six weeks of vacation per year. Part-time receive an improved 8 per cent vacation pay in lieu of days off.

• Members at this unit work with developmentally handicapped people to help them attain jobs and social advancement. Madoc is located approximately 40 kilometres north of Belleville.

Union Negotiating Committee: Sherrie Brett, Lynn Lee and Union Rep Marilyn Lang.

Workers at clothing manufacturer secure new deal

On March 1, 2004, members at Dickies Canada in Hanover ratified a renewed three-year collective agreement. Improvements include:

• Wage increases to the progression rates of 25 cents per hour in each year of the agreement.

• Improved matching RRSP contributions from the company of $350, up from $200.

• Life Insurance improvements over the course of the agreement resulting in $10,000 in coverage as of December 1, 2005.

• Vacation entitlement improvements for workers with service longer than 11 years.

• Improved sick plan pay of $30 per day, up from $25 per day.

• Improved language regarding seniority and just cause for discipline and suspension.

Union Negotiating Committee: Teri Bell, Ruth Ann Leudke, Donna McCracken, Tammy McCracken and Union Rep Rick Wauhkonen.

Nursing home workers secure improved wages and pensions

Members reached a three-year agreement at North Park Nursing Home in Toronto on March 19, 2004. Highlights include:

• Wage increases of 40 cents per hour in each year of the contract with an additional 25 cents per hour each year for Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs).

• Increased pension contributions of 5 cents per hour resulting in an improved pension benefit for members.

• Increased employer contributions to the workers’ Dental and Group Insurance plans.

• Those with 25 years of service or more now receive an improved six weeks of vacation entitlement per year. In addition, all staff may carry over two weeks of vacation to the next year to be used for an extended vacation.

• New call-in language guarantees workers a minimum of four hours work or four hours pay. Call-ins will be done based on seniority.

Union Negotiating Committee: Edna-Jean Louis, Miranda Roberts, Floris Taffe, Ena Tulloch, Union Rep Dan Serbin and Central East Regional Director Jerry Clifford.

Pepsi Bottling workers in Kenora see improvements with new deal

Workers at Pepsi Bottling Group in Kenora recently ratified a renewed collective agreement. On March 29, 2004, members voted in favour of the deal that included the following highlights.

• Wage increases of 3 per cent in each year of the agreement, retroactive to January 1, 2004.

• Safety gear and clothing allowance of $400 per worker per year.

Union Negotiating Committee: Gary Gate, Craig Mataio and Northern Regional Director Shawn Haggerty.

• Wage increases ranging from 25 cents to $2 per hour in each year of the agreement, retroactive to January 1, 2004, for workers in Wage Class ‘A’;

• Wage increases totaling between 75 cents and $2 more per hour over the course of the contract for other workers, also retroactive to January 1, 2004;

• A substantial wage adjustment for line leaders;

• Part-time workers receive full-time pay for time worked in excess of 1,400 hours per year;

• Lump sum payments of $500 in each year of the contract for red-circled workers;

• A new clause mandating training for members, offered by seniority;

• Ten new full-time job postings;

• Improved life insurance coverage of $36,000 by the end of year three;

• Improved pension plan supplements from the company increasing by $1 in each year of the agreement; and

• Improved language regarding the transfer of seniority for part-time workers moving to full-time and new full-time job postings resulting from part-time work done in excess of 1,668 hours per year.

Union Negotiating Committee: Liz Lennox, Dave McQuillin, Jamie Rutledge, Rick Stu, Union Rep Rick Hogue and Central West Regional Director Harry Sutton.

Tecna workers vote in favour of last minute deal

On March 28, 2004, workers at the Tecna forging plant, a division of Brunner Manufacturing and Sales Ltd. in Niagara Falls, ratified a renewed collective agreement. The deal came one day before the established strike deadline of March 29, 2004.

Contract highlights include:

• Wage increases of 55 cents per hour per year covered by the contract, retroactive to December 10, 2003, for all float and non-incentive rates.

• Increased employer contributions to the workers’ RRSPs totaling 25 cents more per hour by the end of the deal.

• Improved midnight shift premium of 50 cents per hour as of December 2004.

• Increased safety boot allowance of $55 in December 2004, $60 in December 2005 and $65 in December 2006.

• Benefit improvements to provide Group Life insurance of $25,000 for employees, $10,000 for their spouses and $5,000 for their dependents.

• Dental Plan coverage totaling a maximum of $1,250 per calendar year.

Union Negotiating Committee: Darin Lamarche, Dean Tremblay and Union Rep Kelly Tosato.