Thursday May 2, 2013
For Immediate Release
Victoria, BC – Things are looking up for members of IAM Local Lodge 456 employed at Harris Victoria Chrysler (formerly Ensign Chrysler). It’s a new ownership, business is coming back and there’s a new three-year collective agreement.
“These members went through some very tough times over the last four years,” explained IAM District Lodge 250 Business Representative Alastair Haythornthwaite. “In 2008 the dealership transferred from local control to an absentee owner from out of province and then the domestic auto industry went into the toilet. Technicians agreed to work under the flat rate system instead of hourly pay with a bonus which they had enjoyed previously. By 2009 low book times for warranty work and a lack of retail customers were taking a big toll on Members’ earnings.”
Just before the end of the last collective agreement the dealership changed hands again. The Tom Harris Group with a chain of five successful dealerships on Vancouver Island took over and business began to rebound. “Tom Harris personally conducted negotiations,” said Haythornthwaite. ‘He listened to the problems of his employees and responded with positive proposals which helped both employee and employer. His recognition of the key role his skilled employees helped to craft an agreement all parties were happy with.”
The three-year agreement provides for wages increases of 3 per cent in the first year and Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) in the second and third year. “Technicians have returned to hourly pay but with the potential to realize $33.00 per hour, an increase of over 8 per cent that brings them into parity with other Unionized dealerships in the city,” added Haythornthwaite. Other agreement highlights include :
• Payments for courses completed at home
• Addition of Family Day as a statutory holiday
• Creation of Lube Tech Classification
The ten members consist of Auto Technicians, Service Writers, Detailers, Vehicle Coordinator and Parts Men. The IAM represents workers in more than 25 automotive dealerships in the lower mainland of British Columbia and on Vancouver Island.
-30-
For further information:
Alastair Haythornthwaite – 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