Deal provides wage increases in each of four years
A solid rejection of the first offer and an overwhelming strike vote were key ingredients in acquiring a new collective agreement for International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local Lodge 1867 members employed by Collins Manufacturing in Langley, B.C.
“I have never seen a more bitter and intense round of bargaining and all because the employer doesn’t respect the collective agreement,” said Al Cyr, IAM district lodge 250 business representative.
The four-year agreement provides wage increases of two per cent in the first year, 2.25 per cent in the second and third year respectively and three per cent in the fourth year, said the union.
Other agreement highlights include:
- parts department bonus structure changed
- new contract language which forbids management doing bargaining unit work
- union stewards can now attend disciplinary meetings if requested by member
- lead-hand premium increased
- change-hand premium increased
The 47 members manufacture truck bodies for a variety of industries including lease and rental, transportation, delivery and food services. They specialize in the manufacture of aluminum radius dry freight van bodies, insulated truck bodies, heavy duty flat decks, curtain siders, cutaway van bodies and custom glass rack bodies.
