Contract includes improvements to severance package
Employees at Pacific Coach Lines in Vancouver ratified a four-year agreement.
The workers — represented by Unifor Local 114 — voted 98 per cent in favour of the deal.
Drivers, mechanics, service staff and ticket agents — 77 employees in total — will be affected by the collective agreement.
The contract was ratified on May 17 and includes improvements to benefit qualifications, full-time classification and severance packages for long-serving members.
The severance package was an issue of contention for the parties during negotiations.
Unifor members at the company were locked out in early May after voting in favour of labour action in 2015. No picket line was ever established, however, and the union alleged the lockout was an attempt by the employer to avoid bargaining in good faith and deny long-serving employees a fair severance package.
“This was a difficult negotiation,” said Unifor national representative Mario Santos.
“Looking to the future we believe this agreement provides PCL with the tools they need to grow their business and ensure stability for the company and for our members.”
