Agreement includes raises, pension plan: Union
The 27 newest members of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local Lodge 2332 ratified their first collective agreement April 2 with Superior Nissan, Superior Custom Detailing and Superior Used Cars in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
“We came within four hours of going out on strike: the membership stood behind the bargaining team and that was the difference,” said Ralph Martin, IAM grand lodge representative.
The three year agreement provides wage increases of three per cent immediately and another 3.5 per cent by the end of the second year, said the union.
Other agreement highlights include:
- inclusion in the IAM Labour/Management pension plan
- extra stat holidays
- employees no longer pay 100 per cent of medical benefits. The employer will be paying 70 per cent by the beginning of the third year
- vacation improvements now see employees getting three and four weeks instead of being limited to two
- overtime will now be paid, 1.5 times regular rate for Saturday, two times regular rate for Sunday and 2.5 times regular rate for holidays
- employees get bereavement leave
- employees receive safety boots, uniforms and all other necessary safety wear paid by the company
“Getting a pension plan was a key demand with this membership and to get one in the first contract has made everyone happy,” said Martin.
