Canadian Labour Reporter

Ottawa transit workers join CUPE OTTAWA — Workers at Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) in Ottawa voted almost unani- mously on June 22 to join CUPE. "This group contacted CUPE because they want the same protection and voice that all our members enjoy," says Marc Laf- rance, a CUPE representative who was involved in the organiz- ing drive. Rideau Transit Maintenance has a 30-year contract to main- tain the Confederation Line, Ot- tawa's new light rail transit sys- tem, says the union. Chances Casino workers ratify contract ABBOTSFORD, B.C. — Mem- bers of the United Steelworkers union (USW), Local 2009 rati- fied a renewed collective agree- ment with Playtime Gaming at the Chances Casino in Abbots- ford, B.C. on June 25. The ratification follows two days on the picket line after the employer locked out the work- ers, says the union. "After two days on the picket line and massive support from the membership, the bargaining committee settled on a renewed collective agreement that sees average wage increases of eight per cent over the next three years of the contract," says Al Bieksa, USW, Local 2009 president. On June 14, Playtime Gam- ing issued a lockout notice to its employees after the members would not agree to a collective agreement that slashed benefits and offered mostly minimum wages, says USW. "The employer received sub- stantial assistance from the federal government under the Large Employer Emergency Fi- nancing Facility (LEEFF), which was aimed at providing loans to companies with revenues of $300 million or more. On the other hand, our members were financially challenged for the past 16 months," says Ginette Talbo- Hoogeveen, USW staff represen- tative. Tentative agreement at Ontario colleges TORONTO — After negoti- ating improvements to their contract, the bargaining team representing the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OP- SEU) part-time college support workers has obtained a tentative agreement on June 25. "The employer had a long list of cuts and concessions they wanted us to accept, but I'm proud to say that the team held firm against each and every one of them," says Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU president. Subscribe to Canada's indispensable guide to human resources management since 1987 The tentative agreement was reached after a 12-hour session, says OPSEU. The previous contract for about 16,000 part-time support workers at the province's 24 community colleges expired on Jan. 31, says the union. Flight attendants ratify deal with Wasaya THUNDER BAY, Ont. – Wa- saya Airways flight attendants, represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Dis- trict Lodge 140 and Local Lodge 714, voted to ratify their four-year collective agreement on June 25. Improvements in language, sick days, per diems and wages were the main issues on the agenda, says IAM. "This group has just seen an increase in wages from $15.49 starting wage to $20.10 and an increase at the top end from $20.10 to $23.75. Furthermore, members hired in Sioux Look- out will start at $21.73 due to the high cost of living," says Kevin Timms, general chairperson of district 140. "The company was looking for major concessions in the benefit package and the elimination of long-term disability. We coun- tered this by maintaining LTD and putting the majority of the benefit pay back to the company while still achieving a major up- lift in wages," says Timms. www.hrreporter.com/subscribe FORMERLY CLV REPORTS Serving labour relations professionals since 1956 www.hrreporter.com/labour Subscription rate: $599 per year Customer Service subscriptions@kmimedia.ca President Tim Duce Editor/Supervisor Sarah Dobson | (416) 644-8740 Ext. 330 sarah.dobson@keymedia.com News Editor John Dujay | (416) 644-8740 Ext. 321 john.dujay@keymedia.com Employment Law Editor Jeffrey R. Smith | (416) 644 8740 Ext. 319 jeffrey.r.smith@keymedia.com Business Development Manager Fred Crossley | (416) 644-8740 Ext. 236 fred.crossley@keymedia.com NAUK Subscriptions Coordinator Donnabel Reyes | (416) 644-8740 Ext. 243 donnabel.reyes@keymedia.com ©Key Media Canada (HR) Ltd. All rights reserved. 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