Machinists Ratify First agreement with Arow Global!
Tuesday October 30, 2007
For Immediate Release
Winnipeg, MB – After ten months of hard bargaining, the members of IAMAW Local Lodge 2247 finally have their first collective agreement with Arow Global Incorporated.
“These workers came to the Machinists seeking assistance in obtaining fair wage rates, a pension plan and respect in the work place,” explained IAMAW District 181 Directing Business Representative Wayne Relf. “It took a while but this agreement gives them what they were looking for and the bargaining committee deserves a lot of credit for the result.”
The three and a half year agreement retroactive to July 1, 2007 provides for wage increases of 25 cents/hour effective July 1, 2008, 30cents/hour effective January 1, 2009 and 30 cents/hour effective January 1, 2010. Other agreement highlights include:
- Established graduated grievance and arbitration provisions to address workplace problems and injustices.
- Seniority provisions for layoff and recall.
- A recognized shop committee consisting of 1 Chief Steward and 3 Shop Stewards in conjunction with IAMAW Representative to address and deal with problems arising within the workplace.
- Posting requirement for full time vacancies
- Defined paid holidays
- Defined Vacation
- Over the life of the agreement the employee share of costs towards the benefit package is reduced from 50 per cent to 35 per cent to 25 per cent.
- Pension plan will begin effective January 1, 2010.
- Defined bereavement leave
- Defined sick leave
The 138 members ratified the agreement by a 70 per cent majority. They manufacture window and door systems, parts and assemblies, modules and components for manufacturers of Transit buses, Intercity Coaches, Light and Medium Rail, Recreational Vehicles, Marine Crafts and Emergency vehicles.
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For further information:
Wayne Relf – IAMAW District 181 Directing Business Representative
204-988-3111/204-793-8944
Bill Trbovich –IAMAW Director of Communications
416-386-1789 ext 31/416-735-9765
