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Canadian HR Reporter, a Thomson Reuters business 2017
OPSEU,
agency sign
pay equity deal
NEWMARKET, Ont. — The
Ontario Public Service Employ-
ees Union (OPSEU) have signed
a settlement with Community
Living Newmarket/Aurora, said
the union.
A total of 339 past and present
support workers at the agency
will receive pay equity adjust-
ments retroactive to 2010, total-
ing around $1,390,000. All ad-
justments will be paid out by Jan.
31, 2018, according to OPSEU.
"The employer was clear
about wanting to fulfill its obli-
gation to fully achieve pay equity,
and we were able to agree on a
plan within just four meetings."
said Kelly Holmes, OPSEU Local
386 president.
The Pay Equity Act — which
became law in 1988 — requires
Ontario employers to identify
instances of gender-based wage
discrimination and make pay-
ments to eliminate it.
However, many employers
continue to evade their legal ob-
ligations, and OPSEU has been
working to ensure the law is en-
forced, said the union.
OPSEU currently represents
229 members working at
Community Living Newmarket/
Aurora who provide support
for individuals living with
disabilities.
Sleeman-
Unibroue
workers strike
in Quebec
CHAMBLY, Que. — After a
breakdown in negotiations,
about 80 workers at Sleeman-
Unibroue in Chambly, Que.,
went on strike June 8.
The workers are members of
Teamsters Local Union 931.
A final offer from the compa-
ny was presented on June 3 and
was rejected by 93 per cent of
workers, said the union.
"We want to make it clear that
salaries and pensions are not an
issue," said Gerry Boutin, presi-
dent of local 931.
Seniority rights are at the
heart of the labour dispute, ac-
cording to Teamsters.
More than 200 grievances
were filed in recent months.
Acrimonious labour relations
led to problems at the bargaining
table, said the union.
Negotiations began on Nov.
7, 2016, but after one meeting
with the employer, Teamsters
asked for help from a mediator.
Swissport
cargo workers
ratify contract
VANCOUVER —Warehouse
workers for Swissport in Van-
couver ratified their first collec-
tive agreement June 6.
"The majority of this group
had been underpaid for many
years so when they were told
that the average wage increase
was $3.17 an hour, they were
overjoyed," said Todd Haver-
stock, International Association
of Machinists and Aerospace
Workers (IAM) transportation
district lodge 140 chairperson.
"When you tell a worker who
makes just under $120 an hour
that this agreement will give
them a $4.94-an-hour raise
with a chance to earn another
$4 an hour in premiums if they
qualify, it's not hard to under-
stand why they ratified," said
Haverstock
Swissport workers also re-
ceived a signing bonus ranging
from $750 to $2,000, depending
on seniority, said the union.
The 17 members prepare air
cargo at the Vancouver airport.
Photo:
Baz
Ratner
(Reuters)
LABOUR LENS
Nurses on strike march holding banners as they take part in a protest in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 12
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