Globe and Mail workers ratify deal; ABI ends court appeal affecting students
Ontario library workers join CUPE
BRADFORD WEST GWILLIMBURY, Ont. — Library workers in Bradford West Gwillimbury, Ont. became the newest members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), following a vote on Sept. 15.
“This is a group of workers who got together and decided it was time to make positive changes in their workplace,” says Craig Saunders, a CUPE representative who has been involved in the organizing drive. “They’re very passionate about their work and want to make changes that will improve staff retention and library services.”
Globe and Mail workers ratify deal
TORONTO – Hours away from a midnight strike deadline, workers at The Globe and Mail in Toronto nearly unanimously voted to ratify a new three-year deal on Sept. 16.
“Globe members produce some of greatest journalism in the world, but journalistic excellence cannot be created on a shoestring,” says Paul Morse, Unifor, Local 87-M president. “In an era of wage freezes in media, we’re pleased we’ve been able to make wage gains, along with improvements in other areas.”
Gains made include a two-per-cent increase to all wage scales and all salaries up to $150,000, retroactive to July 1. Beginning July 1, 2022, employees will also receive a one-per-cent increase on all wage scales and another one-per-cent increase on all wage scales effective July 1, 2023, says Unifor .
The new deal also delivers improvements to mental health benefits, eliminates a previous claw-back on maternity leave top-up and secures an allowance for home-office expenses, says the union.
The term of the new agreement is effective until June 30, 2024.
ABI ends court appeal affecting students
BÉCANCOUR, Que. — ABI will not appeal to the Supreme Court to challenge a ruling by Quebec’s Court of Appeal that students should be paid the same as other employees if they are performing equivalent work at the aluminum smelter in Bécancour, Que., says the United Steelworkers (USW).
On June 17, the Court of Appeal confirmed a decision by Quebec’s Human Rights Tribunal that ABI’s student employees were discriminated against under the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, says the union.
The student workers were being paid 85 per cent of the wages of casual employees who were hired to perform equivalent tasks, says USW.
ABI’s decision to not pursue another appeal will allow the union and its members to put this discrimination practice behind them, says the union.
Winnipeg school staff sign contract
Winnipeg — Custodial staff and educational assistants employed by Hanover School Division (HSD) ratified new three-year collective agreements on Sept. 13.
The employees had voted to strike at the end of July, but ongoing negotiations averted the need for a partial work stoppage, says CLAC, Local 306.
“Striking is the last thing that anyone wanted, including the union,” says Geoff Dueck Thiessen, CLAC Winnipeg regional director. “However, at the time, it seemed there was no alternative.”
The settlement was reached in the final week of the summer, just days before the school year started, says CLAC.
