After 119 days, the lockout of Local 2332 members by three auto dealerships in Sault Ste. Marie, ON, is finally over.
“It’s been a long and bitter struggle but we got most of what we were after,” said IAM Business Representative Rob Thompson. “We got the standard pension language in the body of the agreement which is what started this whole fiasco and we now have a basic dental plan. I can’t say enough about the solidarity of this group and what they went through. They were locked out just before Christmas, withstood freezing temperatures on the picket line, survived a Ministry of Labour vote which saw 12 of their number return to work at Prouse Motors and they still held out for a better deal.
The 27 mechanics, paint shop workers, body men, parts department staff, apprentices, general helpers and clerical staff employed at Superior Dodge Chrysler and Highland Ford agreed to a four-year agreement that provides wage increases, a basic dental plan and improved contract language. “One of the areas that I am pleased with is that probationary members will have benefits paid after 90 calendar days instead of five months,” said Thompson.
