Workers at Sky Café in Toronto sign first contract

Wages, premiums go higher in three years of deal: IAM

A 100 per cent acceptance rate was provided by members of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Local Lodge 2413 on Jan. 31 at Sky Café in Toronto, resulting in the workers’ first collective agreement.

“I’m very proud at the result we were able to achieve,” said Dave Freeman, IAM transportation district Lodge 140 general chairperson. “There were dozens of work-place visits to get the members organized and then ready for bargaining. The company threatened us with legal action and eventually banned us from the workplace but we fought back and maintained contact with our members throughout the process.”

The three-year agreement provides warehouse workers and commissary agents with an automatic wage increase to $15 per hour plus a wage increase 1.5 per cent in the first year. Drivers will receive a 1.5 per cent wage increase in year one, all members receive wage increases of two per cent in year two and three respectively, said the union.

Other agreement highlights of the deal include, refrigeration unit workers will receive a $0.50 an hour premium, night shift workers will receive a $0.50 an hour premium and overtime will be paid after 40 hours, said IAM.

Benefit co-pay changed from 50/50 to 60 per cent paid by the employer in year one, 70 per cent in year two and 75 per cent in year three, according to the union.

The employee consist of 50 warehouse and commissary agents who package the airline meals and 13 drivers who transport the meals to aircraft at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. 

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