SGS Canada workers ratify deal; New agreement for RISQ employees
Hawkesbury firefighters win gains
HAWKESBURY, Ont. — Hawkesbury Volunteer Firefighters in Hawkesbury, Ont. ratified a new collective agreement that provides across-the-board two-per-cent wage increases.
The firefighters, who are members of the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 6565-3, approved the new deal on Nov. 26, by a majority vote. The deal was approved by the Town of Hawkesbury municipal council, on Nov. 29, says the union.
In addition to wage increases, the one-year contract makes improvements in the agreement to clarify the grievance timelines and it spells out that the USW unit chair is entitled to time to provide union orientation to new hires, says the union.
“The committee worked hard to prepare for bargaining. That helped make the process a collaborative and respectful one with the employer,” says Stephane Constantineau, USW, Local 6565-3 unit chair.
“These volunteer firefighters are life-savers in their community, providing emergency services with great skill and commitment,” says Marty Warren, USW director for Ontario and Atlantic Canada.
SGS Canada workers ratify deal
SARNIA, Ont. — Unifor, Local 672 SGS Canada workers voted 89 per cent to ratify a new three-year collective agreement Dec. 14 in Sarnia, Ont.
Gains include a pay raise of $1.05 per hour and a two-per-cent wage increase in the first year of the contract, with retroactive pay included. Wages will increase 2.5 per cent in the second year and three per cent in the third, says the union.
There are also bereavement improvements, overtime pay for all changeovers and increased allowances to vision, footwear and personal protective equipment. As part of the agreement, local union executives are allowed time with new hires for orientation, says Unifor.
“We’ve never had orientation with our new hires for the union,” says Dean Hart, SGS Canada bargaining chair. “It was always strictly management that was meeting with them when they got hired. We are now able to meet with them, go through the contract and answer any questions they may have.”
The term of the new agreement is from Oct. 24, 2021 to Oct. 24, 2024.
New agreement for RISQ employees
MONTREAL — Twenty employees with the Réseau d´informations scientifiques du Québec (RISQ) signed their new collective agreement on Dec. 10.
In addition to wage hikes, employees’ pay echelons were reduced to nine from 13, and the inter-echelon percentage was raised. As a result, the time required to reach the top echelon was shortened by four years, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Local 4633.
On Nov. 23, members voted 94 per cent in favour of the tentative agreement reached by their union and the employer, says the union.
“We successfully achieved a win-win agreement in an environment of mutual respect. We are certain that this new agreement will ensure a good working atmosphere for its entire duration,” says Philippe Dion-Paquet, vice-president of CUPE, Local 4633.
RISQ, a non-profit organization, provides telecommunications services to all universities, CEGEPs, school service centres, research centres, university hospitals, government ministries and agencies along with cultural and service organizations.
