Significant wage increases part of new contract: Unifor
Unifor, Local 222 members at the Pilkington Glass unit in Whitby, Ont., achieved significant wage increases and gains in paid vacation in a new three-year collective agreement that was ratified on May 21.
“The bargaining committee worked hard to negotiate a strong contract that includes the largest pay increases since the unit was formed back in 2007,” said Colin James, Unifor, Local 222 president. “This collective agreement puts us on solid footing for the future.”
The increase in the wage progression moves six per cent as of June 9, with additional increases of two per cent in both 2020 and 2021, said the union.
Significant progress was made in other areas with the addition of the full women’s advocate program, paid domestic-violence leave and harassment language that adds a four-member joint investigation committee with all investigation training paid by the employer, said Unifor.
The new agreement also secures a preferential hire agreement that will offer first opportunity employment to any members displaced from General Motors Oshawa or the General Motors supply chain, said the union.
The new contract covers about 100 Pilkington workers at the facility, which supplies Honda, Toyota and Lexus.
