Deal standardizes grievances, personal days
The outcome of the most recent round of negotiations between Telus and the Telecommunications Workers Union is in stark contrast to the bitter, 17-week strike they endured in 2005.
This time, the tentative agreement came about five months after expiry, but without disruption.
While the margin was strong at 80 per cent in favour, voter turnout was low at a bit over 20 per cent of those eligible.
Many of the issues that the parties decided at the table relate to the expansion that has taken place in the company since before the last agreement was ratified.
A number of clauses have been standardized; for example, a two-step grievance process in the East has been dropped in favour of the three-step process from the West, and the three personal days from the former agreement have been made general.
The existing pension plans continue for grandfathered employees in Alberta and current and new full-time employees in British Columbia. All new employees in Alberta and the East will be enrolled in a defined-contribution plan.
In Winnipeg, the nine-week strike by the CAW at Bristol Aerospace is over. There are modest increases in wages and a small reduction in S.T.D. benefits.
According to the union, management wanted a concession on retiree benefits. In the end, the company is contributing $75,000 and the employees diverting COLA to fund the union-sponsored fund.
A special $500 per month early retirement window for workers aged 55 with 30 years’ service continues.
