Machinists Secure Voluntary Recognition for 700 Pre-Board Screeners in British Columbia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
25 February, 2004

Vancouver, B.C. - The Machinists Union today reached an agreement with SecuriGuard Federal Screening Services Ltd. for voluntary recognition of its 700 employees, all of who are members of the Machinists Union.

With SecuriGuard winning the contract, all members remain employed in their existing jobs with existing salaries, seniority and benefits. AeroGuard, who lost the bid for the pre-board screening contract, previously employed the IAM members.

The Machinists Union and SecuriGuard reached the agreement subject to probationary clauses. “This agreement is now going out for ratification to our members,” said Dave Ritchie, General Vic-President of the Machinists Union.

Mike Clegg, General Chair and representative of the Machinists, was involved in the negotiations throughout the whole process. “This agreement keeps our membership’s seniority intact as well as maintaining their other rights,” he concluded.

The members of IAM Local Lodge 16, who work at seven British Columbia airports, must now ratify the agreement. The airports are situated in Vancouver International Airport, Kamloops, Cranbrook, Prince George, Comox, Kelowna and Victoria.

With a total of 700,000 members, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) is present in all sectors of activity. We are the largest airline and aerospace union in Canada and in North America. Our members manufacture aircraft, aircraft engines, electric and industrial turbines, refrigerators, stoves and Harley-Davidson motorcycles, among others.