Working as industrial firefighters at the Airbus Canada facility in Mirabel, the 21 members of the Garda World bargaining unit, Local 712 of the IAM union, have accepted a first three-year collective agreement, with a 17% pay increase over the term of the contract.
The contract also provides the following improvements to working conditions:
- Improved vacation benefits: Introduction of a fourth week of vacation after 10 years of service, paid at 8% of eligible earnings.
- Strengthened union protection: Incorporation of clauses concerning the recognition and protection of union work (non-discrimination, time off, representation) and outlining the role of management in grievance and arbitration procedure.
- Shift swapping: Members can swap shifts over a period of four weeks without affecting their 40-hour weekly pay.
- Seniority and wage rates: Establishment of the principle of seniority and recognition of continuous service within the company in the new wage scale. Thanks to this measure, an increase of up to 15.5% will apply to the workers concerned as soon as the contract comes into effect in January 2026.
Addition of a clear distinction regarding seniority:
- Site seniority (Airbus Canada) for the choice of vacation schedule, when posting positions and layoffs.
- General seniority (Garda World) for vacation recognition and starting salaries.
- Premiums: Addition of a $1.50 per hour bonus for the team lead and a team lead substitute (when they have to replace)
A negotiation marked by the perseverance and determination of the members
Etienne Trottier-Zalums, District 11 business representative, responsible for the Garda World bargaining unit, summarized the negotiations as follows:
“I would like to highlight the remarkable courage, patience, and determination of this group of workers who chose to join the IAM in order to improve their working conditions and quality of life.
I would also like to thank Maxime Delisle and Alexis Dupuis for their involvement and unwavering support. They fulfilled their mandate as bargaining committee members. They stood up to the employer from the outset and proudly represented their brothers and sisters at the bargaining table to conclude their first collective agreement!
I would also like to thank Alessandro Bernardelli, Directing Business Representative and President of IAM District 11, who began the bargaining process before passing the torch to me. He was present and available in support of the negotiation committee until the very end.“
