Wednesday September 25, 2013
For Immediate Release
Duncan, BC – Is there something in the air or perhaps in the water in British Columbia that makes Machinists members so happy with new collective agreements? Closer to the truth is the fact that the IAM District Lodge 250 Business Representatives are doing their jobs and delivering on members requests. For the second time in as many weeks, IAM members have ratified a new collective agreement by a 100 per cent margin. First it was the members of IAM Local Lodge 1857 at Vancouver Honda who unanimously endorsed their new agreement, now the members of IAM Local Lodge 456 at Duncan Ironworks on Vancouver Island have followed suit.
“Sometimes bargaining goes sideways and sometimes it goes well,” explains IAM District Lodge 250 Business Representative Alastair Haythornthwaite. “The new three-year agreement at Duncan Ironworks falls into the latter category due to the solidarity of this long-time Union shop and the recognition of our members skills by the employer.”
The new agreement provides wage increases of 2 per cent in the first year and 2.5 per cent in the second and third year respectively. Other agreement highlights include :
• Dental plan coverage increased to cover 100 per cent of minor and major work to a per person maximum of $2,000.00 per year, increasing to $2,500.00 in 2015
• Boot allowance increased to $225.00
• Lead Hand are now to be paid on every shift attracting a 4% premium
• If the shift has more than four people the team leader will receive the Charge Hand premium of 7 per cent
“DIW has been prospering over the last three years and management decided to share some of the gains with the workforce,” explained Haythornthwaite. “An on-going relationship with BC Hydro combined with successful bidding on fabrication jobs has kept this shop on solid ground."
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For further information:
Alistair Haythornwaite – IAM District Lodge 250 Business Representative
250-360-2505/250-889-8903
Bill Trbovich – IAM Director of Communications
416-386-1789 Ext# 6331/416-735-9765