Canadian Labour Reporter

2 Canadian HR Reporter, a HAB Press business 2019 NAC employees secure new contract MORRISTON, Ont. — Employees of North America Construction (NAC) in Mor- riston, Ont., voted almost 80 per cent in favour of a new three-year collective agreement providing them with increases to wages, pension, a leave-of- absence (LOA) allowance and employer payments toward the cost of benefits plan. "The heavy civil-construction sector is getting increasingly competitive," said J. D. Alkema, CLAC regional director for the GTA. "During negotiations, we were able to secure proper compensation for our members while balancing the employer's need to be competitive." NAC employees have been represented by Construction Workers Union, CLAC Local 52, for more than 25 years. The company employs about 100 union members in a variety of trades, said CLAC. The new contract includes wage increases of seven per cent over three years, according to the union. Employer and employee con- tributions to the pension plan will increase by one per cent each for a total of 12 per cent contributed to each employee's pension plan. In addition, LOA was increased by $5 per day, said CLAC. River's Reach Pub workers unionize NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. — Hospitality workers at River's Reach Pub in New Westminster, B.C., are the newest members of United Food and Commercial Workers union (UFCW) Can- ada, Local 1518 after voting on May 13 to join the union. "For the workers at River's Reach, bringing in the union was about fairness and respect," said Patrick Johnson, UFCW secre- tary-treasurer. "The hospitality industry is notoriously precari- ous and largely non-unionized, making it difficult for workers to find stable employment." Last week, the B.C. NDP proposed amendments to employment standards that would strengthen protection for workers, including a ban on em- ployer's claiming tips. Still, the standard of legal protection is lower for non-unionized work- ers, said the union. The neighbourhood pub has been serving the community since 2000. Wages hiked for IOOF employees in new deal BARRIE, Ont. — Employees of Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows (IOOF) Seniors Home in Barrie, Ont., ratified a two-year collective agreement on May 13 providing them with wage in- creases while maintaining long- standing sick-bank payouts. The 265 employees working at the home are represented by Health Care and Service Work- ers Union, CLAC Local 304. The union has represented members at the home since 1987. The contract provides em- ployees with a 2.8 per cent wage increase over the term of the agreement. Increases to the weekend premium were also ne- gotiated, said the union. "It was important to the mem- bership that we preserve long- standing sick-bank payouts," said Rhianna Soule, a food service worker, steward, and member of the union bargaining commit- tee. "The employer was adamant that the provision be removed, but we were able to maintain it during negotiations." LABOUR BRIEFS FORMERLY CLV REPORTS Serving labour relations professionals since 1956 www.labour-reporter.com Published weekly by HAB Press, a subsidiary of Key Media Subscription rate: $599 per year Customer Service Tel: (416) 609-3800 (Toronto) (800) 387-5164 (outside Toronto) Email: info@habpress.ca Website: www.labour-reporter.com President Tim Duce Editor/Supervisor Sarah Dobson | (416) 649-7896 sarah.dobson@habpress.ca News Editor John Dujay | (416) 298-5129 john.dujay@habpress.ca Sales Manager Paul Burton | (416) 649-9928 paul.burton@habpress.ca Marketing Co-ordinator Keith Fulford | (416) 649-9585 keith.fulford@habpress.ca Labour Reporter Canadian www.labour-reporter.com LABOUR LENS Photo: REUTERS/Pilar Olivares ©2019 HAB Press All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher (HAB Press). Return Mail Registration # 1522825 Return Postage Guaranteed Paid News Revenue Toronto e publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional advice. If legal or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. e analysis contained herein represents the opinion of the authors and should in no way be construed as being either offi cial or unoffi cial policy of any governmental body. ISSN 0045-5113 Publications Registration 2089 Canadian Labour Reporter is part of the Canadian HR Reporter group of publications. Visit www.hrreporter.com for more information. Avianca Brazil workers hold signs during a protest on May 17 in the Santos Dumont airport in Rio de Janeiro.

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