Canadian Labour Reporter

2 Canadian HR Reporter, a HAB Press business 2020 PCL Energy workers sign new contract EDMONTON — Employees of PCL Energy Maintenance divi- sion in Edmonton ratified a new collective agreement on Jan. 13. The employees are repre- sented by Construction Work- ers Union, CLAC Local 63. The 32-month contract, which comes into effect on Feb. 1, will see wage rates increase by 2.3 per cent, says CLAC. The health and welfare ben- efits premium will increase to maintain a fully employer-paid benefits plan. Other gains in- clude increases to both the meal and living-out allowances, says the union. PCL Energy services the oil and gas, petrochemical, mining, power, alternate energy, pulp and paper industries, as well as other commercial facilities. New agreement benefits Ivaco workers: USW L'ORIGNAL, Ont. — Employ- ees at steelmaker Ivaco Rolling Mills in L'Orignal, Ont. ratified new collective agreements on Jan. 10 that will bring improved wages, benefits and other sig- nificant gains. The employees — members of the United Steelworkers (USW) Locals 7940 and 8794 — ratified a five-year collective agreement with Ivaco, a pro- ducer of steel billets and hot- rolled wire rod. The new contracts cover about 400 USW members at the steel plant in the eastern Ontar- io community, says the union. "The negotiations were con- ducted in a spirit of collabora- tion and respect, which helped achieve a good deal for workers and the employer, which also will benefit the community for years to come," says Marty War- ren, USW Ontario director. The new contracts will pro- vide wage increases of two per cent in each of the next five years. By the final year of the col- lective agreements, hourly wage rates will range from $29.09 to $35.98 for production workers and from $34.59 to $40.83 for trades people, says USW. The agreements include increased Sunday work pre- miums, improvements in pro- visions affecting working con- ditions and improved benefits including long-term disability, vision care, dental, paramedical and prescription drug coverage, says the union. Strike averted at Grand River Transit KITCHENER – Unifor, Local 4304 and Grand River Transit (GRT) in Kitchener, Ont. ne- gotiated a tentative collective agreement on Jan. 13, averting a strike at the transit utility. "Unifor members are dedi- cated to helping the people of Waterloo Region get to their destinations, and we are pleased to have reached a deal that will enable them to continue do- ing that," says Tim Jewell, Local 4304 president. Toronto Uber drivers apply for unionization TORONTO — The United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Canada applied to the Ontario Labour Relations Board on Jan. 13 to unionize Uber Black limousine and SUV drivers in Toronto. More than 300 drivers work at Pearson Airport and down- town Toronto. Could become the first ride-sharing workers in Canada to gain union represen- tation, says the union. "We have already tried every possible avenue to meet with Uber to discuss our demands, but the company has ignored us," says Ejaz Butt, a leading organizer among the Uber Black drivers. Uber Black drivers focused on three key reasons for union- izing: to be paid for all hours worked and have a guaranteed hourly wage; to secure just- cause protection and a legally binding grievance procedure; compel to compel Uber to rec- ognize drivers as employees, instead of independent contrac- tors, says UFCE. LABOUR BRIEFS GET LISTED IN THE HR VENDORS GUIDE Visit hrreporter.com/hr-vendors-guide HR Professional Development Description: Faccaerio. Name volore pre et atur. Cerumqui consedi seraectis eos magnisi nvenihi lliquist qui accum de pres experis testior eperest que ventust qui re volorum quatat. 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