Tuesday June 7, 2016
For Immediate Release
North Vancouver, BC – What began as a discussion over coffee at a Chrysler Training School between union and non-union mechanics has resulted in an organizing victory and 25 new members for IAM Local Lodge 1857.
The workers at Destination Chrysler had workplace issues and following that discussion a call was made to IAM District Lodge 250. “I set up an initial offsite meeting with about ten employees to discuss the organizing process,” explained IAM District Lodge 250 Business Representative Al Cyr. “At a follow up meeting there happened to be two members from Carter Dodge who used to work at Destination Chrysler and they explained the benefits of the Carter Dodge contract and cards were signed that night. Cyr said they had all sorts of issues, including lack of shift change notification, no overtime, 10 hour shifts, and a flat rate with no guarantee of work. “Of particular concern was the new Warranty Tracking System which was short-changing their hours,” explained Cyr. “We have the same system at several of our other Chrysler dealerships with no problems at all.”
With the cards signed a certification application was filed and vote was held shortly afterward. “This employer did everything he could to disrupt the vote by altering the number of employees who qualified to vote,” said Cyr. The result was as 17-8 vote in favour of the IAM.
The new members include mechanics, parts people, service writers, lot persons, detailers as well as service and warranty coordinators.
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For further information:
Al Cyr – IAM District Lodge 250 Business Representative
604-513-3883/604-309-0443
Bill Trbovich – IAM Director of Communications
416-386-1789 Ext #6331/416-735-9765
