Thursday, February 3, 2005
For Immediate Release
Toronto, ON – Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers have ratified a new 5-year collective agreement with Abitibi Consolidated Paper Mills.
The 253 members, from IAMAW Local Lodges 771, 490, 1120 and 268, provide machine shop and mechanical maintenance services at four Abitibi mills in Fort Frances, Kenora, Thunder Bay, and Thorold, Ontario.
The agreement provides for wage increases of 70 cents/hour in the first year, 2.5 per cent in the second year, 60 cents/hour in the third year, 2 per cent in the fourth year and 60 cents/hour in the fifth year. The average hourly rates range from $28.50 to $31.50. There were also improvements in Shift differential, Vacations, Severance Pay, L.T.D., Life Insurance, AD&D, Dependent Life Insurance, Vision Care and Bereavement Leave.
The agreement also saw Pension improvements in the areas of Early Retirement, Benefit Levels and Portability Language.
The IAM is among the largest industrial trade unions in North America and represents more than 700,000 active and retired members and administers more than 5,000 contracts in transportation, woodworking, aerospace, manufacturing and defense related industries.
