Safety main issue in contract talks: Teamsters
About 80 armoured car guards at Inkas Security Group in Toronto could go on strike at 12:01 p.m. on Oct. 30.
Workers gave Teamsters Local Union 419 an 89 per cent strike mandate last week. Safety is the biggest issue for the union, along with wages and working conditions. The company broke off negotiations on Monday, said the union.
"Our members think Inkas cares more about profits than workers' safety," said Owen Lane, the business agent leading the negotiations. "Safety standards at Inkas are a nightmare and fixing them is Teamsters' top priority."
Other sticking points include wages, benefits and pensions. Wages at Inkas are the lowest in Ontario's armoured car industry. Guards also receive a substandard 50/50 co-pay benefits package and no pension, said the Teamsters.
Teamsters represent more than 2,000 armoured car guards in Canada, making it the largest union in the industry.
Workers at Inkas joined Teamsters Local Union 419 in June 2017. They've been attempting to negotiate their first collective agreement since July 5.
Inkas is the third-largest armoured car company is Ontario. The company services banks, ATMs, gas stations, jewelry stores, and other small businesses in the Greater Toronto Area.
Negotiations will resume on Oct. 28 in a last-minute attempt to avert a strike.
