Friday June 6, 2014
For Immediate Release
Sydney, N.S. – “After nearly sixteen years in my role as a General Chairperson, I have never achieved a more rewarding settlement,” explained an overjoyed IAM District Lodge 140 General Chairperson Ken Russell.
Russell was referring to the five-year collective agreement ratified by IAM Local Lodge 684 with Logistec SCR (Sydney Coal Railway). “We have not seen raises like these since the days of DEVCO in the early 1980’s when coal mining was still a huge part of Cape Breton’s economy,” said IAM Local Lodge 684 Shop Committee Chairperson Rick Wiseman.
All classifications received an increase of over 10 per cent or $2.68/hour in the first year. Wage improvements were also reached when members were upgraded to a higher classification. Wage increases amounted to 2.25 per cent in year two, three, four and five respectively. “It was paramount that we achieved a large uplift in year one and built of those numbers in subsequent years,” added Russell. “This is a very senior workforce and young faces are slowly replacing the very senior 30 plus members. Over 10 per cent in the first year will go great lengths to improving their pensions since for many this will be their last collective agreement.”
“Our members showed unbelievable solidarity rejecting the last offer by 100 per cent,” explained Russell. “Their solidarity paved the way to fruitful negotiations. It was particularly rewarding to achieve the deal in good faith and not involved a third party such as HRSDC.”
Current SCR operations consist of running coal imports which arrive at the international piers in Sydney Harbour by bulk carriers from the US and South America. Coal is transported to the Victoria Junction storage facility and then delivered continuously to the Lingan Generating Station owned by Nova Scotia Power.
The members consist of locomotive engineers, conductors and Maintenance of Way employees.
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For further information:
Ken Russell – IAM District Lodge 140 General Chairperson
902-481-0077/902-221-6140
Bill Trbovich – IAM Director of Communications
416-386-1789 Ext# 6331/416-735-9765