North Bay, ON – The members of IAMAW Local Lodge 2412 have ratified a new collective agreement with Boart Longyear, which includes the possible implementation of the HPWO – High Performance Work Organization programme.
“The employer is introducing more rod lines to its North Bay operation and this is tied to having a signed agreement going forward,” explained IAMAW Grand Lodge Representative Colin Cherry. “With the agreement in place, the employer can now address manpower shortages such as a machine operator, to meet the increased demand for their product.”
“The whole idea behind HPWO is to save and create jobs while growing the business,” says Cherry. One of the positive things about HPWO is that it can establish a joint decision making process between management and labour. “This would be a major advancement for working together rather than the traditional ‘them and us’ working relationship that has existed at the plant,” added Cherry. The IAMAW has successfully implemented the HPWO process at more than 30 sites across North America.
The three-year agreement provides wages increases of 2 per cent each year. Other agreement highlights include :
• Early retirement options on the Defined Benefit pension plan
• Improved Dental and Orthodontic care,
• Improved vision care
• Improved safety shoe allowances.
The 200 members manufacture drilling rods for the mining exploration industry in North America.
IAMAW, among the largest industrial trade unions in North America, represents more than 700,000 active and retired members, and administers more than 5,000 contracts in transportation, woodworking, aerospace, manufacturing and defense related industries.
“The employer is introducing more rod lines to its North Bay operation and this is tied to having a signed agreement going forward,” explained IAMAW Grand Lodge Representative Colin Cherry. “With the agreement in place, the employer can now address manpower shortages such as a machine operator, to meet the increased demand for their product.”
“The whole idea behind HPWO is to save and create jobs while growing the business,” says Cherry. One of the positive things about HPWO is that it can establish a joint decision making process between management and labour. “This would be a major advancement for working together rather than the traditional ‘them and us’ working relationship that has existed at the plant,” added Cherry. The IAMAW has successfully implemented the HPWO process at more than 30 sites across North America.
The three-year agreement provides wages increases of 2 per cent each year. Other agreement highlights include :
• Early retirement options on the Defined Benefit pension plan
• Improved Dental and Orthodontic care,
• Improved vision care
• Improved safety shoe allowances.
The 200 members manufacture drilling rods for the mining exploration industry in North America.
IAMAW, among the largest industrial trade unions in North America, represents more than 700,000 active and retired members, and administers more than 5,000 contracts in transportation, woodworking, aerospace, manufacturing and defense related industries.