Quebec education workers ratify deal; Strike vote held for 2 Vancouver trucking firms
U of T casual workers sign contract
TORONTO — Casual workers at the University of Toronto achieved a new collective agreement, including long sought-after paid sick days on Nov. 19.
The United Steelworkers (USW), Local 1998 represents about 3,500 casual workers at the university. After pandemic-related delays at the bargaining table, the local union and the employer worked together to reach a new contract, says the union.
In bargaining, the local union demanded better treatment for casual workers, who work alongside full-time workers on the same projects, programs and departments but were not treated similarly, says USW.
“We were bargaining with the nation’s richest university and it was reasonable for casual workers to expect the basic level of fairness from the university,” says Colleen Burke, president USW, Local 1998.
Highlights of the three-year contract include a wage increase of one per cent, two paid sick days, better protection for members facing discipline or termination and improvements to the dental benefits, says the union.
USW Local 1998 represents more than 8,000 administrative and technical workers at the University of Toronto, Victoria University, University of St. Michael’s College and University of Toronto Schools, including about 3,500 casual employees.
Quebec education workers ratify deal
QUEBEC — Education professionals with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) in Quebec reached a new collective agreement with the government of Quebec on Nov. 23.
The new three-year contract runs from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2023 and sees wage increases of two per cent per year and an improved salary scale that will take effect in 2022. In addition, improvements to working conditions will make it easier to attract and retain personnel, says the union.
“The results of this round of negotiations are a major step forward in recognizing the expertise of professional education personnel, which is essential to the academic success of students,” says Julie Tassé, president of the Syndicat des professionnelles et professionnels Laval‒Rive-Nord (SPPLRN).
The SPPLRN represents 940 education professionals in 32 job categories across the three school service centres (des Affluents, Laval and Mille-Îles, in Quebec), says the union.
Strike vote held for 2 Vancouver trucking firms
VANCOUVER — Container truck drivers at two large Metro Vancouver port trucking companies voted overwhelmingly to strike if necessary on Nov. 21 to achieve a fair agreement.
A strike could affect almost 200 truckers servicing the Port of Vancouver and threaten port stability at a time when supply chain pressures are enormous, says Unifor.
Unifor members ratified the pattern agreement with more than 100 truckers at Harbour Link Transportation in August. Key achievements include health, dental and insurance benefits for all drivers along with increased payments for waiting time, says the union.
“Unifor truckers in this sector are fighting for the simple right to have health and dental benefits. Basic respect for your workers and their family’s health and safety is not an unreasonable request,” says Jerry Dias, Unifor national president.
