Tuesday September 1, 2015
For Immediate Release
Flin Flon, MB – The 180 members of IAM Local Lodge 1848 have ended their 17 week strike against Hudson Bay Minerals (HudBay) operations in Flin Flon and Snow Lake, Man. The membership ratified a new collective agreement by a margin of 71 per cent.
“It took five long days of intense bargaining in the last week of August to reach a tentative agreement we could bring back to the membership,” explained IAM Grand Lodge Representative Ian Morland. “The creation of an expedited arbitration process to clear all outstanding grievances within 90 days was one of our demands from day one and we got it. It was instrumental in getting this approved.”
The three-year agreement retroactive to January 1, 2015, includes wage increases of $1.00/hour in the first year, $1.75/hour in the second year and $1.25/hour in the third year. Other agreement highlights include :
- Bridge benefit increase of $1.00
- Vision care benefit increased to $250.00
- Paramedical services increased to $250.00
- Short Term Disability benefits increased to $120.00/day
- Implementation of expedited arbitration process
- Improved general holiday pay
- Increase in apprentice books, travel and other expenses
- Additional wage increment increase for all apprentices
- Increased pension contributions
- Improved contract languages in many key areas
- Increased Company paid union time off
- New sunset clause for discipline letters
“We went on strike of May 2nd and through it all the solidarity of this membership never wavered,” said Morland. “It says a lot about their character and their faith in each other. We can build upon this.”
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For further information:
Ian Morland – IAM Grand Lodge Representative
204-988-3111/204-771-9989
Bill Trbovich – IAM Director of Communications
416-386-1789 Ext #6331/416-735-9765