Modest wage increases for all workers: Unifor
Workers at the Windsor Star voted 91 per cent on May 6 in favour of a new three-year collective agreement with Postmedia Network.
“We didn't come away with a lot of money, but we kept our defined benefits pension plan, and we held on to most of our health benefits, including those for our retirees,” said Julie Kotsis, chair of the joint council of unions, which represents 180 members of Unifor, Locals 240 and 517-G.
Windsor Star workers understand well the news industry's current struggles, “but then they see Postmedia's executives getting big pay raises,” said Kotsis.
Under the agreement, employees earning less than $20 an hour will receive a one per cent wage increase on June 3. All Windsor Star employees will also receive a 0.5 per cent wage increase in May 2020. Over the previous seven years, Windsor Star employees had only received a one per cent wage hike, said the union.
Postmedia had been seeking major concessions from employees, according to Unifor.
