Recent News Letters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 2013

 

Well, 2012 has been a successful and fruitful year.  We had 3 sets of negotiations during the year and have succeeded in completing all three without a strike.  Although we did have to proceed to mediation on one, we were able to make huge inroads in Union language as well as  improving the working conditions and wages in all three contracts.

 

The Grand Lodge had its’ Convention in Toronto this year and was well attended by Union leaders from across Canada and the United States.  The Local sent myself and your President, Glenn Killips, to represent our Local and we found it very interesting and informative.  As well as the business brought forth for consideration before the Convention, there were many speakers, with varied topics of concern for the ardent Union Activist. 

 

Diamond:  After a long protracted set of bargaining we have finally settled on a new contract.  Along with the restructuring of the Contract to make it easier to read, we have made significant improvements in many of the clauses to make for a more labour friendly contract. Some of the highlights are:

·         improved seniority language,

·         better union representation,

·         protection from discipline for refusing to cross a legal strike,

·         improved benefits, 

·         increased vacation (6 weeks maximum),

·         Premiums and wage increases of 18% over 4 years.

 

We are currently in negotiations to change the format of the existing pension plan.  Details will follow once we have agreed to the changes.

 

Cummins Cal:  After many days of hard bargaining, two in mediation, we finally reached an amiable agreement.  The MOA was ratified on January 10, 2013 and that completed 2012’s year of bargaining.

 

Highlights are:

• 9% over three years
• Pension improvements
• Full retro
• Seniority
• Over 60 improvements to current language

 

Although the Cummins Negotiating team came in with a serious list of demands of their own, we were able to deflect many of these to the point where we only made two small concessions.

 

Strongco:   had the most successful negotiations.  We went in with a huge shopping list of demands and were able to successfully negotiate improvements in over one hundred and twenty three clauses.  As well as improving the language, we also made improvements to benefits, and pension.  Vacation was increased to seven weeks and the wage increase of 19% for service and 21% for parts, over three years, with a COLA clause for the final year made for a happy membership.

 

Cummins Ed:  Has had much turmoil in their management this summer with the termination of several managers and a settling of a major grievance where a member had been laid off out of seniority.  This had to be pushed all the way to arbitration, but was settled on  the eleventh hour, with the end result being a very satisfying to the griever. 

 

Waterous/Wajax: Has been fairly quiet this summer but they too have had management changes.   We are currently trying to hammer out an LOU to accommodate the Parts department hours to follow the Service Department.  We have elected a negotiation committee recently and will be proceeding with negotiations with their management soon.    

 

Just to keep you up to date with the other Locals in the District I have added the following:

 

LL 2583

 

Field Aviation:   The Company has been bought out by Amavco Inc., out of the United States, from Hunting, PLC.  Since their transition to the new company, Field has become much busier which has resulted in increased overtime and also an increase in membership.  The new company has expressed an interest in expanding their business which is great for the membership.   

 

LL 99

 

Finning:  Has been having its’ usual round of grievances.  With the number of members in 99 belonging to Finning, there is inevitably going to be disagreements that need to be ironed out.   They are also heading into negotiations and have elected a negotiation committee which, after returning from the Harbour for a Negotiation Prep course, has been whittling out a proposal for presentation to the Company.  

 

Leavitt:  LL99 has also started the negotiation process as well. Although Leavitt has been fairly quite as far as grievances go, negotiations will still be a work out. 

 

Submitted in Solidarity,

 

Dan Uchacz,

District 14 Business Representative / Organizer