Tentative deal at Université TÉLUQ; Toronto teachers ratify contract
New deal for Maple Leaf Poultry workers
EDMONTON — A new collective agreement was ratified on Oct. 27 by members of CLAC, Local 56 employed by Maple Leaf Poultry in Edmonton.
The 400 workers voted 69 per cent in favour of the three-year contract, after a previous ratification vote sent the bargaining committee back to the table, says the union.
Wage increases are a highlight of the new agreement. There are also improvements in benefit coverages, job posting language, health and safety practices, and the protection of bargaining-unit work, says CLAC.
“The restrictions of COVID-19 made us be creative in meeting and communicating with the membership. In the end, we were glad to bring a deal that would see industry-leading wages to these essential workers,” says Melanie St. Andrews, CLAC representative.
Tentative deal at Université TÉLUQ
QUEBEC — A tentative agreement was reached on Oct. 27 between the Université TÉLUQ — a remote educational institution affiliated with the Université du Québec — and the union representing its support employees.
Some 250 members who belong to the office, technical and professional groups had been without a contract since March 31, 2019, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
The union and the Université TÉLUQ agreed not to disclose or comment on the contents of the tentative agreement before the members had a chance to read it at the general meeting, which is scheduled for next Nov. 12, says the union.
If they accept the agreement, the new collective agreement will be for five years and cover the period from April 1, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2024.
Toronto teachers ratify contract
TORONTO — The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District (IAM), Local 1922 members employed by the Elementary Teachers of Toronto (ETT) ratified a new three-year agreement on Oct. 29.
The new agreement includes increases to wages and the IAM pension plan in each year of the agreement, as well as improvements to contract language, says the union.
IAM represents office staff employed at the Elementary Teachers of Toronto, as well as many other staff working for unions, says the union.
Glove maker workers sign deal
WINNIPEG — United Food and Commercial Workers union (UFCW), Local 832 members working at Western Glove Works in Winnipeg ratified a new two-year collective agreement on Nov. 2 that provides better wages and increased sick days.
Western Glove Works is one of the largest Canadian apparel producers and denim industry employers, serving markets worldwide.
COVID-19 put a strain on certain aspects of the business and brought the bargaining committee into some difficult discussions with the employer. As a result, members agreed to freeze wages in the first year of the contract but will see a three per cent wage increase in the second year, says UFCW.
Other highlights of the new agreement include an increase in sick time for members and improved contract language, says the union.
“COVID-19 has impacted many employers, including Western Glove Works, but in the end, these difficult conversations brought us to some positive outcomes,” says Phil Kraychuk, UFCW 832 negotiator.
