Deal includes $600 signing bonus: IAM
Members of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Local Lodge 2413 ratified a new three-year collective agreement on May 3 with Innotech Aviation in Ottawa.
“This group of employees pushed the envelope and were very close to striking over their employer’s entry-level wage approach,” said Mike Corrado, IAM transportation district lodge 140 general chairperson. “In fact, they conducted two strike votes before ultimately deciding to ratify the agreement.”
Existing customer-service representatives at the top rate will receive 1.25 per cent annual wage increases with retroactivity. Existing line-service representatives at the top rate will receive annual wage increases of 1.9 per cent in the first year, 1.25 per cent in the second year and 1.5 per cent in the third year with retroactivity, said the union.
Other agreement high lights include the elimination of the red-circle group which allows everyone to be on the same wage scale, new language added concerning safety footwear allowing workers to be reimbursed faster, the introduction of long-term disability benefits to be paid 100 per cent by the employer and a $600 signing bonus for all employees, said iAM.
The three-year agreement expires March 31, 2021.
The 10 members provide customer service, aircraft handling, aircraft ground power, and fueling at the Shell AeroCentre at Ottawa’s MacDonald Cartier International Airport.
