Tuesday April 4, 2017
For Immediate Release
Sault Ste. Marie, ON – “We came within four hours of going out on strike, the membership stood behind the bargaining team and that was the difference,” explained IAM Grand Lodge Representative Ralph Martin.
The 27 newest members of IAM Local Lodge 2332 ratified their first collective agreement with Superior Nissan, Superior Custom Detailing and Superior Used Cars, over the weekend by an overwhelming majority. “To get this much language in the first contract is very difficult,” explained Martin, “Our members are very pleased.”
The three year agreement provides wage increases of 3.00 % immediately and another 3.5 % by the end of the second year. Other agreement highlights include:
- Inclusion in the IAM Labour/Management pension plan
- Extra stat holiday’s
- Employees no longer pay 100 per cent of medical benefits. The employer will be paying 70 per cent by the beginning of the third year
- Vacation improvements now see employees getting 3 and 4 weeks instead of being limited to two
- Overtime will now be paid, 1.5 times regular rate for Saturday, 2 times regular rate for Sunday and 2.5 times regular rate for holidays
- Employees now get bereavement leave
- Employees now receive safety boots, uniforms and all other necessary safety wear paid by the company
“Getting a pension plan was a key demand with this membership and to get one in the first contract has made everyone happy,” explained Martin. “These members are looking to their future and this is a great first step.” The 27 new members include Auto Technicians, Service Writers and Parts personnel and general garage workers at Superior Nissan, Installers at Superior Custom Detailing and Auto Technicians who refurbish cars for resale at Superior Used Cars.
The IAM represents members at Superior Dodge, Maitland Motors, Highland Ford and Prouse Motors in the Soo.
IAM represents automotive workers on Vancouver Island and the lower mainland of British Columbia, in Fort Frances, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and Toronto in Ontario as well as in New Brunswick and Newfoundland.
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For further information:
Ralph Martin – IAM Grand Lodge Representative
416-225-9003/905-869-6520
Bill Trbovich – IAM Director of Communications
416-386-1789 Ext #6331/416-735-9765
