Wednesday, April 27, 2005
For Immediate Release
Toronto – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers have ratified a new three-year collective agreement with the Toronto Transit Commission.
The agreement calls for wage increases of 2.5 per cent in the first year, 2.75 per cent in the second year and 3.25 per cent in the third year inclusive of pension upgrades of .5 per cent in each of the first two years and one per cent in the third year respectively. The agreement also provides improvements in vision care benefits, boot allowances and a $200 transit allowance.
“The most significant improvement in this contract is the introduction of a skilled trades premium,” said Paul Mitchell IAMAW District 78 Business Representative. “This is a recognition by the TTC that the skilled trades base in Canada is eroding and this premium is an effort to hold on to their skilled trades people.”
The 45 members of IAMAW Local Lodge 235 consist of machinists and millwrights who repair streetcars for the TTC.
The IAMAW 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.
