The two-year contract just ratified by Local 99 members employed by Finning International in Alberta and the Northwest Territories is among a succession of new agreements recently reached throughout Western Canada.
The new accord at Finning calls for increases in long-term disability, vision and dental care, and implementation of a pay-direct drug card. The 1,750 workers who provide maintenance and servicing of heavy equipment will also receive a 2.75 percent wage increase in the second year of their contract.
Meanwhile, in British Columbia, Local 692 members in Vancouver ratified a new three-year deal with Timken Company, a manufacturer of bearings and steel. Contract highlights include wage increases of 1.25 percent in the first year, 1.5 in the second and 2 percent in the third year, in addition to improvements in medical, vision and dental coverage.
Local 692 members at Duncan Iron Works, a custom metal component manufacturer, also inked a new three-year agreement. Workers will receive a one percent wage increase the first year, and 2 percent in the second and third years. The contract also calls for pension plan improvements and cost-of-living-allowance protection to 3 percent in the third year.
Not to be outdone, Local 1857 has signed two new three-year agreements. At Berk’s Intertruck in Nanaimo, it took just one meeting to reach an accord. The mechanics there will receive wage increases in each year of the agreement of 1, 2 and 3 percent, respectively, as well as improvements in employer contributions to the Registered Retirement Savings Plan in the third year and assistance with health and welfare costs.
At Carter Dodge Chrysler Limited in Burnaby, mechanics, technicians, general laborers and parts department staff – also members of Local 1857 – reached an agreement that includes wage increases of 2 percent in each year of the three-year deal. Other highlights include improvements in the tool allowance and bonus calculations for Parts Department Technicians, as well as a $1.00 per hour new-skill-level bonus for all Technicians who complete Chrysler Level 2.
