Contents

Collective Agreements

First contract for Aeroguard workers in Thunder Bay

On April 3, 2005, approximately 28 newly unionized workers at Aeroguard Eastern in Thunder Bay secured a three-year collective agreement.

In addition to general contract language, highlights include:

• Wage increases of approximately 15 per cent over the course of the agreement.

• First wage increases are retroactive to April 1, 2004, and will be paid by May 5, 2005.

• Workers assigned as Point Leader for a ½ hour or more receive an hourly premium of $1.50.

• New language provides workers with sick days, which they did not have previous to this agreement.

• Important anti-discrimination and ‘no harassment’ policies.

• Language establishing seniority, steward representation, union security, grievance procedures, health and safety precautions,

Union Negotiating Committee: John Dicasmirro, Mike Johnston, Chris Valente and Union Rep Colby Flank.

First contract for foodservice workers at Sir Sanford Fleming

On April 1, 2005, Compass Group Canada foodservice workers in Lindsay voted in favour of a new three-year collective agreement. These workers are employed at Sir Sanford Fleming College.

Highlights include:

• Wages increase by between $1.20 and $1.55 per hour over the term of the agreement.

• The workers’ health and welfare benefit plan is now negotiated into the contract.

• Those with 15 years of service or more are now entitled to five weeks vacation per year.

• In addition to basic contract language, the agreement also provides a grievance and arbitration procedure for the workers.

• Language recognizes:

• Seniority to apply during layoffs and reduction of hours
• Workers receive overtime pay after 40 hours and
• Workers can now wear make-up during work hours.

Union Negotiating Committee: Kathy Johnson, Tami Johnson and Union Rep Ray Bromley.

Kraft workers approve new collective agreement

Approximately 160 members at the Kraft plant in Exeter ratified a new collective agreement on April 15, 2005. These workers manufacture canned food products for sale at retail locations.

The three-year contract includes:

• Schedule ‘A’ wage increases totalling $1.30 per hour over the course of the agreement.

• Schedule ‘B’ wage increases totalling $2.05 per hour over the three-year term.

• Increased pension plan contributions to $42 per month in the first year, $43 in the second year and $44 per month in the third year including all past service.

• Tool allowances increase to $230 per year by the third year of the deal.

• Increased annual safety shoe allowance of $115 in the first year, $120 in the second year and $125 in the final year of the agreement.

• Improved grievance language clearly outlining the steps in this procedure.

• Other language improvements cover seniority, job posting, excess hours of work, Schedule ‘A’ classifications and pay equity maintenance.

Union Negotiating Committee: Denis Arsenault, Sherrie Davidson, Wade Rahn and Union Reps Wendy Absolom and Angus Locke.

Three-year contract for office workers at Local 459

Local 175 members working in the Local 459 Union Office ratified a new three-year collective agreement on April 1, 2005. Highlights include:

• Wage increases of 3 per cent in each year.

• Increased dental contributions.

• Workers receive improved bereavement leave including 24 hours paid leave in the loss of an immediate family member and 40 hours paid leave in the loss of a spouse or child.

• Improved language covering referral to arbitration, steward representation, Union security and the addition of disability under the recognition clause.

Union Negotiating Committee: Louise Cacciavallani and Union Rep Julie Johnston.

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Three-year contract for New Edinburgh Square workers

On April 1, 2005, approximately 47 retirement care workers at New Edinburgh Square in Ottawa secured a new three-year collective agreement. Contract highlights include:

• Wage increases of 9 per cent for all rates and classifications.

• Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) receive a wage adjustment increase of 75 cents per hour.

• The employer now covers 80 per cent, up from 75, of the cost of the workers’ Dental and Extended Health Care plans.

• Pension contributions increase to 48 cents per hour, up from 39 cents.

• Vacation entitlement improves to five weeks for workers with 15 years service and four weeks after eight years of service instead of the previous nine.

• Workers also qualify for two floating holidays per year, up from one.

• Language improvements include a strict new No Harassment policy.

• Other improvements cover union dues remittance, bereavement leave language and a uniform allowance for all workers of $150 per year for full-time and $60 per year for part-time.

Union Negotiating Committee: Darlene Gregory, Shirley Parks and Union Rep Simon Baker.

Furniture factory workers approve four-year deal

Approximately 390 members at Ridgewood Industries in Cornwall secured a four-year collective agreement at a ratification vote held April 9, 2005. Workers at this unit manufacture ‘assembly required’ furniture for stores across the province. Contract highlights include:

• Wage increases totalling $2.20 per hour – or 20 per cent – over the four-year term of the contract.

• Increases to classification rates.

• A shift premium introduced for afternoon shift.

• Pension contribution increases of 20 per cent over the four-year agreement.

• An 18 per cent increase in employer contributions to the worker’s group insurance plan.

• The addition of eye examinations under health coverage and new orthodontic coverage.

• One additional floater holiday.

• New language covering job postings and ‘No Discrimination’ policies.

• Language improvements regarding bereavement leave, layoffs and recalls.

• Company provided uniforms for maintenance staff.

Union Negotiating Committee: Sylvain Burelle, Aza Morrisette, Jean Patenaude, Dana Tyrell and Union Reps Simon Baker and Daniel Mercier.

Nursing home workers approve two-year contract

On April 19, 2005, Local 175 members at the Wellington Nursing Home in Hamilton approved a new two-year collective agreement. Contract highlights include:

• Pay increases, including raises and pay equity adjustments, totalling between 3 and 7.5 per cent over the two-year term.

• Contributions to the workers’ dental plan increase by 4 cents per hour over the term of the contract.

• Pension contributions increase by 1 cent per hour in each year of the agreement.

• Improved vacation language allowing full-time workers to request single vacation days.

• New letter of agreement regarding seniority employees.

Union Negotiating Committee: Hyacinth East, Gary Rerel, Union Rep Chris Fuller and Central West Regional Director Harry Sutton.

YM Inc. workers reach three-year deal

Approximately 26 workers at the YM Inc. warehouse distribution centre in Toronto ratified a new three-year collective agreement on April 5, 2005. Highlights include:

• A signing bonus of $200 upon ratification.

• Wage increases totalling $1 per hour over the term of the contract.

• Continuance of the Bonus Agreement providing $950 per year to workers employed for the 12 months previous to the end of that year.

• Improved Health and Welfare contributions of $128 (plus taxes) per month.

• Annual contributions by the company to the Locals’ Training & Education Fund.

• Increased number of sick days per year.

• Improved language covering the provision of one additional Steward and bereavement leave, which now includes ‘common law spouses.’

• New Steward Representation language to better protect the rights of workers.

• Clarification of grievance language.

• Letter of Agreement between the parties providing a course of action in the event the company relocates outside the city of Toronto.

Union Negotiating Committee: Qadeer Ahmad, Roger Smith and Union Rep Paul Jokhu.