More than 14 months after the expiry date of their collective agreement, the members of the Siemens unit have accepted their new contract by 81%.
“This negotiation was, without a doubt, a long process, as we had been looking for a mutually acceptable agreement since last fall,” said Luc Frigon, District 11 Business Agent, responsible for the Siemens unit of Local 869. André Casavant, Alain Campagna and Antonio Martonara of the negotiating committee did an excellent job that was supported by the actions and solidarity of the members towards their committee,” he added.
On the employer’s side, although the demands touched on several clauses, the main focus was on finding billable hours. For the bargaining committee and the members, the monetary aspect was the priority, while preserving our gains as much as possible.
“There is no doubt in our minds that it is thanks to the actions and mobilization of the workers that we have succeeded, after 3 days of mediation, in breaking the impasse in which we found ourselves, without sacrificing our personal or annual vacations or our holidays,” explained André Casavant, of the negotiating committee of the Siemens unit (SL 869).
HIGHLIGHTS
Wages:
- 2020-2021: 2.75% (retroactive to March 29, 2020)
- 2021-2022: 3.00% (retroactive to March 21, 2021)
- 2022-2023: 3.00%
- 2023-2024 : 3.00%
Monetarily, the offer provides for salary increases and retroactivity to the contract expiration date (March 28, 2020).
Vacation, time off work
- Time bank enhancement, now up to 640 hours transferable to the next reporting year and guaranteed by the vacation quota.
- Improved evening and night shift premiums, now paid on a percentage basis (3.5%); in addition, team leaders will also receive their premium during overtime.
- A $1,000 loyalty bonus will also be paid to all employees who reach their 25 years of service.
- The emergency shift premium is now payable for all shifts.
- Bereavement Leave Enhancement.
- Parental leave is now up to 70 weeks.
- Increased vacation quota.
- Improved vacation pay for absences.
- The number of starts per shift will be reduced from 5 to 3 and minutes used in the 30 minutes of flexibility will be recovered.
- Team leaders will have fixed starts as well as 30 minutes of overtime per day.
- Harmonization of start times for testers
Other benefits
- Leaders are now appointed solely by employee vote.
- Changes to the parameters surrounding transfer and non-occupational training.
- Gradual increase in insurance premiums.
- Improved RAMQ payments to retirees.
- Introduction of union training on “planning for a good retirement”.
Members of the Siemens unit manufacture and service turbines for the oil, gas and power industries.
