Wednesday, November 15, 2006
For Immediate Release
Montréal, QC – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers have expanded its membership in Québec following the purchase of Balances Experts Incorporated by Mettler Toledo Inc.
IAMAW District 11 and Local Lodge 2727 were successful in their application to the Québec Labour Board to include 21 employees from Balances Experts Inc. in the IAMAW bargaining unit. These new members are located in Québec City, Sherbrooke and Trois Rivières. They join the 44 members of Local Lodge 2727 who service and repair Mettler-Toledo weight scales used in the food, mining and trucking industries throughout Québec.
“It certainly was a long process,” explained IAMAW District 11 Business Representative and Organizer Yves Raymond. The Union filed an application on December 28, 2005, the hearing was held May 25, 2006 and the decision was issued November 7, 2006. “By virtue of this decision, it will most likely mean a raise in salary for the Balances Experts’ employees who were non-union,” added Raymond.
Once again solid teamwork by organizers in District 11 produced positive results. During the process IAMAW Apprentice-Organizer Denis Boudreau, kept in contact with the Sherbrooke workers, signed IAMAW cards and provided them with information. “We certainly hope that they will now spread the word about the benefits of being covered by a Machinists contract,” said Boudreau.
The IAMAW, among the largest industrial trade unions in North America, 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.
-30-
For further information:
Yves Raymond – IAMAW District 11 Business Representative and Organizer
514-956-1578
Bill Trbovich – IAMAW Director of Communications
416-386-1789 ext 31/416-735-9765
