First deal for Indigo Chapters in B.C.; Howmet Canada employees join IAMAW
Parks, recreation workers join CUPE
PORT HOPE, Ont. — Parks and recreation workers at the Municipality of Port Hope in Ontario voted almost unanimously on Aug. 13 to join the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
They join workers in Port Hope’s water and wastewater department and at the municipal library, who are already members of CUPE 749, says the union.
“It can be challenging for the needs of outside workers to become priorities in the town hall, and Port Hope’s parks and rec workers now have a stronger, safer way of raising issues with their employer,” says Daniela Scarpelli, a CUPE representative who was involved in the organizing drive.
First deal for Indigo Chapters in B.C.
COQUITLAM, B.C. — Retail employees at Indigo Chapters in Coquitlam, B.C. ratified their first collective agreement on Aug. 30.
“This first contract gives our members at Indigo Chapters Coquitlam better working conditions and a much-needed voice at work,” says Dan Goodman, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Local 247 president. “The bargaining committee did an outstanding job ensuring the issues that led to unionization were at the core of every negotiated article.”
Some of the contract highlights include minimum-wage-increase protections, annual raises, seniority, improved scheduling language and paid sick days.
Based in Surrey, B.C., UFCW, Local 247 represents more than 14,000 members working in various industries and frontline sectors.
Howmet Canada employees join IAMAW
LAVAL, Que. — Specializing in the manufacture of aluminum castings for the aerospace industry, workers at Howmet Canada in Laval, Que., joined the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) on Aug. 23.
“Over the course of our discussions with the workers, we were able to build a relationship of trust and demonstrate our professionalism,” says Alessandro Bernardelli, responsible for organizing for district 11.
The Quebec labour board confirmed the union certification of the workers at Howmet Canada’s Laval plant on Aug. 13, says the union.
USW, AltaSteel ratify deal
EDMONTON — Members of the United Steelworkers (USW), Local 5220 ratified their new tentative agreement on Aug. 16, that had been reached with AltaSteel in Edmonton.
“AltaSteel has navigated the downturn without resorting to layoffs and this agreement sets a positive future for our members,” says Paul Perreault, USW, Local 5220 president. “The new ownership is looking to make serious capital investments over the next four years and the term of the agreement provides job certainty and stability for the membership and the company.”
The employees had been working without a contract since the previous collective agreement expired on July 31, says USW.
The new four-year agreement was accepted by 89 per cent of the members voting at three meetings, says the union.
The agreement gives the membership increases in wages, benefits and a DB pension plan, as well and increases extended to retirees, says USW.
