Fellows at Montreal’s ÉTS join PSAC; Kitimat Camp workers sign deal
Mr. Furnace employees ratify agreement
ST. CATHARINES, Ont. — After a seven-day lockout that began on May 4, Unifor members at St. Catharines-area HVAC provider Mr. Furnace ratified a new collective agreement on May 14.
“Our members faced down an employer that was making questionable labour relations moves during a pandemic,” says Jerry Dias, Unifor national president.
The new three-year collective agreement includes a two-per-cent wage increase in each year of the agreement, shift premiums, a six-month continuation of benefits for retirees, a signing bonus and various other benefit enhancements, says the union.
Mr. Furnace is a subsidiary of Right Time Heating and Air Conditioning Canada. Unifor, Local 1999 represents 19 workers serving as technicians and administration staff.
Fellows at Montreal’s ÉTS join PSAC
MONTREAL — Fifty postdoctoral fellows from the École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) in Montreal gained union representation on April 22, after Quebec’s labour tribunal granted the group union certification.
The work continues towards forming a second ÉTS bargaining unit. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) is currently before the labour tribunal to obtain a union certificate for an additional 80 ÉTS research professionals, says the union.
PSAC-Quebec represents the highest number of post-doctoral employees in the province and PSAC has organized the largest number of post-doctoral bargaining units across the country, says the union.
PSAC’s university sector membership has grown to more than 27,000 with the recent addition of senior researchers at the University of Saskatchewan, says PSAC.
Employees at Chalet Malouin sign contract
SAINT MALO, Man. — The United Food and Commercial Workers union (UFCW) Canada, Local 832 members working at Chalet Malouin, a seniors’ retirement home in Saint Malo, Man., ratified a new union contract on May 12 that provides wage gains and an extra float day.
In addition to a 1.5-per-cent wage increase, employees at Chalet Malouin secured an extra float day, new bereavement language, more sick time that can be used for family leave, a revamped health and wellness spending account, a footwear allowance for employees who spend all day on their feet, an increase to RRSP contributions, an increase to the long service premium with a new level added, an increase to the training premium and retroactive pay to April 1, 2020, says UFCW.
“This collective agreement — with higher wages, a revamped health spending account, and a footwear allowance for all employees to make sure they can buy good quality shoes — will help members take care of themselves during COVID-19 and beyond,” says Phil Kraychuk, UFCW 832 negotiator.
Kitimat Camp workers sign deal
KITIMAT, B.C. — Camp workers at Horizon North Crossroads Lodge in Kitimat, B.C. ratified a contract on May 11 with 97 per cent voting in favour.
The contract will provide 100 per cent employer-paid air travel and health care, pension, housekeeping workload protections, seniority, recall rights and raises that will increase some workers’ wages by 24 per cent, says Unite Here, Local 40.
The new agreement with Horizon North covers staff at the front desk, kitchens, and housekeeping departments who serve camp workers at the LNG (liquefied natural gas) Canada project site.
Bargaining began in January and concluded with a deal for the three-year contract, says the union.
The union now represents about 300 camp workers in Kitimat, says Unite Here
