B.C. Airport Screeners Make Big Gains with Machinists! 

Wednesday December 5, 2007
For Immediate Release

Vancouver, B.C. – It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas for the more than 1,000 IAMAW Local Lodge 16 members who provide pre-board screening services at airports in British Columbia.

The 744 members employed by Aeroguard Security at Vancouver International Airport have ratified a new collective agreement that will provide them with wage and benefit improvements totalling 38 per cent over the next four years. The 272 members employed by Garda Security at nine airports on Vancouver Island and on the mainland of the province ratified a new five-year agreement that provides substantial wage and benefit improvements.

“For the first time these members will be receiving a pension plan and have their BC medical premiums paid,” explained IAMAW Grand Lodge Representative Ron Fontaine. Other agreement highlights include an additional statutory holiday, increased health and welfare plan contributions, additional sick days and a paid half hour lunch period.

“These members who provide the security for the travelling public in Canada can now have a career, and not just a job,” said Fontaine. “That is an important step in providing a stable security system."

The key ingredient in the success of the two contracts was the exchange of information and strategies between the two bargaining committees. "I want to thank both committees for the time and effort they put into achieving these agreements,” said a satisfied Fontaine. “Mike Ambler did a terrific job with our Garda members, and the future for pre-board screeners and security in general will benefit from that."

The IAMAW represents more than 700,000 active and retired members in North America and administers more than 5,000 contracts in transportation, woodworking, aerospace, manufacturing and defense-related industries.

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For further information:
Ron Fontaine – IAMAW Grand Lodge Representative
604-448-0721/604-340-2083

Bill Trbovich – IAMAW Director of Communications
416-386-1789 ext 31/416-735-9765