#unifor local 1285

[allthecanadianpolitics]

The new three-year collective agreement is the second contract negotiated, since the 140 workers first unionized in 2018.

“The Bargaining Committee had the full support of the members, which made all the difference, as it was clear to the company that we would not bend and would not return to work until we obtained the wage and benefit improvements the workers deserved," said Unifor Local 1285 Unit Chair Joseph Evans.

Key gains in the new agreement include:

• Immediate $2.00 wage increase

• $0.50/hour increase in year two

• $0.50/hour in year three

• General Wage increases for all employees currently being paid above the job classification rate with receive an immediate wage increase of $1.00 and then $0.50/hour in year two and three.

• $1,100 signing bonus

• Two additional paid sick days with ability to carryover to end of following year.

• Improvements to vacation entitlements, shift premiums, benefits, clothing allowance and RRSP contribution

• 1.5x rate of pay for all hours worked over 8 hours/day

• Increased union representation:

• Addition of a Women’s Advocate

• Joint Harassment Investigation Committee

“This shows the power that workers have when they have a seat at the table to negotiate their working conditions through collective bargaining,” said Payne.

#submission #workers rights #job action #strike #unionstrong #unifor local 1285

[crosbyru-blog]

Lear to close Canada seating plant after Unifor rejects contract offer

The Lear factory supplies seats for FCA's Brampton, Ont., assembly plant, which builds the Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300. UPDATED: 5/3/18 4:42 pm ET - adds details Lear Corp. will close its Ajax, Ont., seating plant in response to an ongoing strike by workers there, according to a letter posted on Twitter by Unifor. The plant’s 320 workers have been on strike since April 28 over disagreements on economic issues such as wages and benefits. Unifor, which represents the workers, and Lear reached a tentative deal this week that was later rejected by 94 percent of workers. “Due to the resounding rejection of the Tentative Agreement by the membership on May 1, 2018, and other recent developments from our customer regarding the future work, the Company is announcing a Closure at the Lear Ajax Plant,” a letter from Lear to top union officials reads. Unifor Local 222 posted a copy of the letter on its Twitter page Thursday morning. The letter said Lear would close the plant “as soon as practical but not later than the conclusion of the current programs” at the facility, which provides seating to the nearby Fiat Chrysler assembly plant in Brampton, Ont. FCA Brampton builds the Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300. Unifor Local 1285 President Jaspal Brar, who represents workers at the Brampton plant, said production is shut down there due to the strike. He said he has not heard from FCA regarding its long-term strategy in getting the plant running again in the event of a prolonged strike and the Ajax plant’s eventual closure. “It’s a shame it’s come to this, but obviously we respect the Lear workers and hope something can be worked out to get them back to work,” Brar said. Voicemails left for an FCA spokeswoman were not returned. {{title}} {{abstract}} Read more > http://www.autonews.com/article/20180503/COPY01/305039946/lear-fca-plant-closing-strike-unifor

[crosbyru-blog]

Lear to close Canada seating plant after Unifor rejects contract offer

The Lear factory supplies seats for FCA's Brampton, Ont., assembly plant, which builds the Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300. UPDATED: 5/3/18 4:42 pm ET - adds details Lear Corp. will close its Ajax, Ont., seating plant in response to an ongoing strike by workers there, according to a letter posted on Twitter by Unifor. The plant’s 320 workers have been on strike since April 28 over disagreements on economic issues such as wages and benefits. Unifor, which represents the workers, and Lear reached a tentative deal this week that was later rejected by 94 percent of workers. “Due to the resounding rejection of the Tentative Agreement by the membership on May 1, 2018, and other recent developments from our customer regarding the future work, the Company is announcing a Closure at the Lear Ajax Plant,” a letter from Lear to top union officials reads. Unifor Local 222 posted a copy of the letter on its Twitter page Thursday morning. The letter said Lear would close the plant “as soon as practical but not later than the conclusion of the current programs” at the facility, which provides seating to the nearby Fiat Chrysler assembly plant in Brampton, Ont. FCA Brampton builds the Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300. Unifor Local 1285 President Jaspal Brar, who represents workers at the Brampton plant, said production is shut down there due to the strike. He said he has not heard from FCA regarding its long-term strategy in getting the plant running again in the event of a prolonged strike and the Ajax plant’s eventual closure. “It’s a shame it’s come to this, but obviously we respect the Lear workers and hope something can be worked out to get them back to work,” Brar said. Voicemails left for an FCA spokeswoman were not returned. {{title}} {{abstract}} Read more > http://www.autonews.com/article/20180503/COPY01/305039946/lear-fca-plant-closing-strike-unifor