Machinists ratify three-year deal at Finning 

Wednesday May 10, 2006
For Immediate Release 

Vancouver, BC – Members of IAM Local Lodge 692 have ratified a new three-year collective agreement with Finning Inc. 

Two months of bargaining produced a new agreement with a number of improvements to wages, benefits and language provisions. The agreement provides wage increases of 4.5 per cent in the first year and 4 per cent in each of the remaining two years. “The wage increases are a definite improvement over the last two agreements with the company,” said Stan Pickthall, Directing Business Representative for IAM District 250. “The economy in British Columbia has improved and skilled people are hard to come. The improved wages in this agreement reflect that fact.”

Other contract highlights include:

Travel Time – based upon the employee’s hourly rate
Field Rates – increased by 10 cents in each year
Dual Ticket Premium – increase to $1.00 per hour
Afternoon & Night shift premiums increased to $3.00 and $5.10 per hour respectively, based upon 8 hours worked
Dental – Increase Crowns and Bridges to 80 per cent; new hires eligible after one year
Short Term Disability – 60 per cent of wages; no maximum
Long Term Disability - $500 per week
Tool Allowance increased by $50 in each year
New contracting out language
Improved job posting language; preference given to internal candidates
Increased severance for Branch closure – 3 weeks per year of service to a max of 104 weeks
Apprentice living subsidy increased to $400 per week
Renewal of Regional Parts Distribution Centre (RPDC) commitment
Retention bank LOU cancelled; increase regular banked time to 500 hours

The 780 members of IAM Local Lodge 692 repair and service Caterpillar heavy equipment at 24 Finning locations throughout British Columbia.

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For further Information:
Stan Pickthall IAMAW District 250
604-522-3991

Press Releases 2006