Five-Year Collective Agreement Reached at Blondel
Members of the Blondel unit at IAM Union Local 1758 have negotiated their second collective agreement, ratifying the new five-year contract with 84% support.
The agreement includes no concessions in working conditions and provides for total wage increases of 21.67% over the life of the contract, including the compounded effect.
Here are some of the other key highlights of the agreement:
- Seniority and recall rights: Coverage extended from 24 to 36 months.
- Seniority during illness: Coverage extended from 12 to 24 months.
- Annual wage increase: An additional 1% increase added each year on the employee’s hiring anniversary.
- Paid leave: One additional paid day off, on top of the two days provided under employment standards legislation. These three days can be transferred to an hours bank, up to a maximum of 40 hours per year. The hours can be used for personal leave or paid out on December 31. The bank is renewed annually.
- Wage progression: Introduction of a four-step wage scale, with a $2-per-hour increase for each step.
- Joint committee: Creation of a joint skills assessment and progression committee, which will conduct assessments on May 1 each year.
- Attendance bonus: $200 every six months.
- Forklift operator premium: $2 per hour.
- FTQ Solidarity Fund: A $1,000 contribution for each worker.
- Signing bonus: $500.
Christian Bilodeau, Business Representative for District 11 and representative for the Blondel unit, highlighted the outstanding work of Patricia Altinier, Union President, and Angélique Bourinet, Union Steward.
“Their knowledge of the specific issues in their workplace allowed us to bring members’ voices and demands to the bargaining table,” he said. “I also want to highlight the cooperation and attentive approach that characterize our labour relations. I would also like to thank the members for their trust and commitment, which were essential to achieving our goals.”
Members of the Blondel unit work as warehouse and logistics employees, handling merchandise at Airbus Canada in Mirabel.
