Employer didn’t contribute cost of benefits: IAM
G4S Secure Solutions (Canada) agreed on Jan. 18 to pay $290,000 to members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Local 16 for not providing and contributing toward the cost of their B.C. Health and Wellness Plan Premiums (BCMSP) as outlined in their collective agreement.
The settlement was the result of a grievance filed by IAM upon discovery that the company had violated the agreement by not contributing 100 per cent towards the cost of the benefits as agreed to between the parties, said the union.
The violation primarily affects airport security screeners hired since June 2014 throughout the Pacific region, when the company unilaterally introduced a change in practice, through the introduction of a new-hire form, said IAM.
“Once the cat was out of the bag, the company was less than cooperative in responding to our inquiries and investigation, concerning the entitlements that our members were receiving,” said Tania Canniff, IAM transportation district lodge 140 general chairperson. “We were left with no alternative but to file a grievance, refer the matter to arbitration and seek an order from the arbitrator, which directed the company to disclose to the IAM, the information we required to represent the membership.”
