Workers at Canada Cartage in Oshawa, Ont., sign first agreement

Employees joined Unifor in March: Union

Workers at Canada Cartage in Oshawa, Ont., sign first agreement
The first agreement includes significant improvements in wages, benefits, vacation and RRSP contributions, said the union. GOOGLE STREET VIEW

Canada Cartage workers in Oshawa, Ont., ratified their first collective agreement on Nov. 9, after joining the union in March. 

The new contract — approved by 91 per cent of voters — governing the workplace for 98 members, was a victory after the workers had faced challenges in unionizing since the campaign began in November 2015.

After a number of delays and complications, the Ontario Labour Board issued an interim certification in March 2017, allowing the workers to join Unifor Local 222 and for collective bargaining to begin.

“It took us nearly two years to get to this stage, but we were able to make some changes that will improve people’s lives,” said Dennis Wood, bargaining committee member.

The first agreement includes significant improvements in wages, benefits, vacation and RRSP contributions, said the union.

Members at Canada Cartage — a shipping and logistics company — work as drivers, dock workers and facilities maintenance at the Oshawa terminal. The new agreement will also cover shunters and shunter lead hands performing work at the Whitby LCBO terminal, a group which had been previously disputed by the employer and was won in collective bargaining, according to Unifor.

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