Canadian Labour Reporter

United Steelworkers reach deal with Alexandria Mouldings toronto — The United Steelworkers (USW) reached a new collective agreement with Ontario-based employer Alexandria Mouldings. The three-year contract — covering 253 production and maintenance employees — was ratified on March 12. The contract in- cludes across-the-board wage increases of five per cent over the life of the agreement and additional increases for some job clas- sifications and weekend shifts. The agreement also includes improve- ments to benefits as well as to terms and conditions of work including health and safety, seniority rights, vacations, disability benefits and drug, dental and vision care coverage. "Our union is optimistic about the future of manufacturing in Ontario and agree- ments like this one demonstrate collective bargaining is a key to our province's eco- nomic success," said USW Ontario director Marty Warren. Federal government to fund programs for women in transportation ottAwA — Canada's federal government announced funding for two projects to pro- mote opportunities for women in the trans- portation industry. Minister of labour Kellie Leitch made the announcement at the Women with Drive Leadership Summit, hosted by Trucking Human Resources Canada. "Our government's number one priority is to create jobs and opportunities for all Canadians," Leitch said. "One of the ways we do this is by supporting community- based projects that support economic se- curity and prosperity for women. We know that when women succeed, our entire coun- try prospers." Trucking HR Canada will receive $421,720 in funding for the two projects, which will create opportunities for under-represented groups — including women — in the trans- portation sector. The first venture, funded through the Women's Program of Status of Women Can- ada, is a three-year project that will engage representatives in the trucking industry to create a mentorship model for female em- ployees. The project will identify the barriers women face when they enter into and ad- vance within the trucking industry. The pi- lot mentorship model will be developed in targeted communities in Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia. The second project, again in partnership with Trucking HR Canada, aims to improve the workplace participation of groups un- der-represented in transportation. The fund will be used to develop a busi- ness case for workplace diversity, productiv- ity and efficiency. Seminars and webinars will also be developed to support employers as they implement diversity programs. The project is being funded through the Labour Program's Workplace Opportuni- ties: Removing Barriers to Equality program. "Women have an important role to play in the future of the trucking industry and our organization is committed to support- ing their success," said Trucking HR Can- ada's CEO Angela Splinter. "This Govern- ment of Canada support will allow us to make investments in diversity and career development that will benefit both women and the trucking industry for years to come." lAboUr brieFs 2 Canadian HR Reporter, a Thomson Reuters business 2015 ForMErlY ClV rEPortS Serving labour relations professionals since 1956 www.labour-reporter.com Published weekly by omson reuters Canada ltd. Subscription rate: $595 per year Customer Service tel: (416) 609-3800 (Toronto) (800) 387-5164 (outside Toronto) Fax: (416) 298-5106 Email: carswell.customerrelations@ thomsonreuters.com website: www.carswell.com Director, Carswell Media Karen Lorimer Publisher John Hobel Associate Publisher/Managing Editor Todd Humber lead Editor Sarah Dobson | (416) 649-7896 sarah.dobson@thomsonreuters.com news Editor Sabrina Nanji | (416) 649-9348 sabrina.nanji@thomsonreuters.com news Editor Liz Foster | (416) 298-5129 liz.foster@thomsonreuters.com Marketing Co-ordinator Keith Fulford | (416) 649-9585 keith.fulford@thomsonreuters.com © 2015 Carswell, a division of omson Reuters Canada Ltd. 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, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher. e publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional advice. If legal or other expert assistanceis 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. Labour Reporter Canadian www.labourreporter.com Photo: Shannon Stapleton (Reuters) lAboUr lens McDonald's workers at 19 citites across the United States have fi led health and safety com- plaints regarding popping grease in the latest push for better conditions and unionization.

• Cover