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MACHINISTS UNION WANTS 40 HOURS PAY FOR 40 HOURS WORK |
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| October 3, 2002 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MACHINISTS UNION WANTS 40 HOURS PAY FOR 40 HOURS WORK Sault Ste-Marie, ON – Employees at six automobile dealerships here have been on strike since September 23 seeking something as simple as being paid 40 hours pay for 40 hours worked. The 120 members of the of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Local 2332 say they are being shortchanged by employers because of unrealistic flat rate scales for car repairs covered by warranties. “This is only one of many issues that finally sent us on strike”, said Pat Murphy, staff representative for the IAMAW. “What we have now are members working 40 hours and getting paid for 36 hours of work. Most of this is a result of having cars under warranty and extended warranty. What this means for us is we have to fix the car no matter how long it takes. But we’re only paid a flat rate for the repair. If it takes six hours to fix, and we’re getting paid for three hours, you can see how we get shortchanged over the course of a week or a month.” “We simply want to get paid for the hours we work. If dealerships in Thunder Bay can do it, we know dealerships in the Soo can. We don’t believe the employer is bargaining in good faith. We believe they wanted us to go on strike,” said Murphy Another issue workers and management are far apart on is the divisive tactic of offering different pay raises to different groups. A 7% hike was offered to auto mechanics at the same time as a 2% raise to people who do the bodywork. “They thought our mechanics would sell out the other groups, but we didn’t fall for it,” said Murphy. The union is also asking for: – a “sunset clause” on discipline cases where the employer can only go back a certain period of time to use a worker’s employment record against him (as opposed to 17 years, as they did in one case) --one-tier salary for general garage workers instead of the current three tiers --progression grid for apprentices, --paid travel time when on training courses required by the employer --one year recall rights - 30 - CONTACT: Pat Murphy, Grand Lodge Representative Canadian Office: 15 Gervais Drive, suite 707,Toronto, Ontario M3C 1Y8 (416) 386-1789 |
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