Monday March 2, 2009
For Immediate Release
Winnipeg, MB – Members of IAMAW Local Lodge 1953 have ratified a new collective agreement with Motor Coach Industries.
“It took a while but we now have significant changes to contract language concerning management rights and contracting out,” said IAMAW District Lodge 181 Directing Business Representative Wayne Relf. “By removing the addendum language on Management rights, the company no longer has the right to do what it wants to whomever it wants. As far as contracting out is concerned, in the past the company would only consult with the union when it was practical to do so, now the language has imposed limits on the reasons for contracting out and the company must also consult with the union before it acts.”
The three-year agreement provides for wage increases of 3.5 per cent retroactive to February 1, 2009, 3 per cent in 2010 and 2 per cent in 2011. Other agreement highlights include :
• Option of accepting a $1,250.00 signing bonus in cash or as a deposit to the existing MCI Group RRSP or Group Pension Plan
• A 7th week of vacation after 35 years of service
• The Company will reimburse members for all Occupational Health Assessment Forms they ask them to submit
• Upon retirement members have the option of either a $4,000.00 life insurance benefit or a $1,000.00 gross lump sum Retirement payment within 14 days of retirement
• The Company will pay 20 per cent of the Extended Health Premiums in 2010 and 2011
• Maximum annual dental benefits increased to $1,475.00 in 2010 and 2011
• The Company will now pay 100 per cent of the premiums for a $40,000.00 life insurance policy
• The Company will increase pension contributions by 1 per cent for those members with more than 25 years of service
The 714 members manufacture highway passenger buses for the North American motor coach industry.