Chances Casino workers ratify contract; Tentative agreement at Ontario colleges
Ottawa transit workers join CUPE
OTTAWA — Workers at Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) in Ottawa voted almost unanimously on June 22 to join CUPE.
“This group contacted CUPE because they want the same protection and voice that all our members enjoy,” says Marc Lafrance, a CUPE representative who was involved in the organizing drive.
Rideau Transit Maintenance has a 30-year contract to maintain the Confederation Line, Ottawa’s new light rail transit system, says the union.
Chances Casino workers ratify contract
ABBOTSFORD, B.C. — Members of the United Steelworkers union (USW), Local 2009 ratified a renewed collective agreement with Playtime Gaming at the Chances Casino in Abbotsford, B.C. on June 25.
The ratification follows two days on the picket line after the employer locked out the workers, says the union.
“After two days on the picket line and massive support from the membership, the bargaining committee settled on a renewed collective agreement that sees average wage increases of eight per cent over the next three years of the contract,” says Al Bieksa, USW, Local 2009 president.
On June 14, Playtime Gaming issued a lockout notice to its employees after the members would not agree to a collective agreement that slashed benefits and offered mostly minimum wages, says USW.
“The employer received substantial assistance from the federal government under the Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF), which was aimed at providing loans to companies with revenues of $300 million or more. On the other hand, our members were financially challenged for the past 16 months,” says Ginette Talbo-Hoogeveen, USW staff representative.
Tentative agreement at Ontario colleges
TORONTO — After negotiating improvements to their contract, the bargaining team representing the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) part-time college support workers has obtained a tentative agreement on June 25.
“The employer had a long list of cuts and concessions they wanted us to accept, but I’m proud to say that the team held firm against each and every one of them,” says Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU president.
The tentative agreement was reached after a 12-hour session, says OPSEU.
The previous contract for about 16,000 part-time support workers at the province’s 24 community colleges expired on Jan. 31, says the union.
Flight attendants ratify deal with Wasaya
THUNDER BAY, Ont. – Wasaya Airways flight attendants, represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), District Lodge 140 and Local Lodge 714, voted to ratify their four-year collective agreement on June 25.
Improvements in language, sick days, per diems and wages were the main issues on the agenda, says IAM.
“This group has just seen an increase in wages from $15.49 starting wage to $20.10 and an increase at the top end from $20.10 to $23.75. Furthermore, members hired in Sioux Lookout will start at $21.73 due to the high cost of living,” says Kevin Timms, general chairperson of district 140.
“The company was looking for major concessions in the benefit package and the elimination of long-term disability. We countered this by maintaining LTD and putting the majority of the benefit pay back to the company while still achieving a major uplift in wages,” says Timms.
