28 April, 2020
For immediate release
Fort McMurray, AB – Kal Tire members have ratified their one-year deal for a contract extension with 90.6 percent in favour of the deal. Terms and conditions of the contract remain the same.
“The Committee worked very hard on this and it was a very tough set of negotiations. The employer was looking for changes to their retirement plan, and a major overhaul to their sickness/disability plan heading into mediation, said Matt Barnable, District 14 Business Representative. “As the pandemic worsened and the global price of oil collapsed, we were faced with significant external challenges. Even the prospect of meeting for mediation had changed due to the pandemic.”
“Faced with the Covid-19 crisis, the relationship between the employer and the union was able to remain positive, amiable and cooperative, opening up talks to allow a deal to get done.”
“The biggest thing it provides for our members is stability during this tough time. Our members can focus on health and safety and have some piece of mind. We look to get through some of these challenges and get back to the table in a year.”
“It was our first time doing electronic rollout meetings and voting. We utilized Facebook live for the rollout meetings and Frank Saptel was indispensable in overseeing the voting process. It went really well, and we had record participation,” Barnable said.
The 124 members of Local Lodge 99 are tire technicians, inventory technicians and mechanics.
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For more information:
Matt Barnable, Business Rep/Organizer, IAM District 14
mbarnable@iamdl14.org
