Wednesday February 5, 2014
For Immediate Release
Winnipeg, MB – Members of IAM Local Lodge 2413 have ratified a new collective agreement with Bearskin Airlines.
“I’m proud to say that close to 90 per cent of the overall membership stationed at Kitchener Waterloo, Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout and Winnipeg participated in the ratification process,” explained IAM District Lodge 140 General Chairperson Mike Corrado.
The three-year agreement provides a 1 per cent lump sum payment for those at the top of their scale in year one and a 1.5 per cent wage increase to pay scales in each of the second and third year respectively. There is also a $100.00 signing bonus for all other employees progressing through their scales as well as various improvements for our members in the parts department. Other agreement highlights include :
• Expanded and improved union representation; Time off with pay for stewards who are required to attend shop committee meetings
• Improved and better defined seniority system
• Improvements to lay off and recall language
• Improved leave of absence language
• Lockable union boards paid for by the company
• Improved language covering hours of work
• Increased maximums for bankable overtime hours
• Increased night shift premium
• Increased meal allowances
• Increased clothing allowance
• Increased crew chief premium
• Introduction of Long Term Disability plan
“This has been a peculiar round of bargaining,” said Corrado. “Midway through the process Bearskin experienced a tragic and unfortunate loss when one of its aircraft went down. One of our bargaining committee members lost his brother to cancer and then former company owner, Harvey Friesen passed away, one month after his retirement at age 65.”
“Harvey was an aviation pioneer, especially on the routes in Northern Ontario,” said Corrado.“In 1972, Harvey, then only 24 years old, purchased a majority interest in the company and thankfully grew the business into a profitable unionized company that has provided good IAM jobs with better than average wages. His contributions to the industry, charities and his employees will be remembered.”
“I would like to thank the membership and especially the bargaining committee of John Heath, Scott Fowler and Don Stever for their hard work, dedication, sacrifices and common sense approach throughout this round of bargaining,” added Corrado.
The 59 members consist of Licensed Aircraft Mechanics, apprentices, engineers and parts personnel.
Bearskin operates 100 flights daily to 18 destinations in Ontario and Manitoba including Winnipeg, Flin Flon, Kenora, Sioux Lookout, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, North Bay, Timmins, Ottawa and Kitchener-Waterloo.
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For further information:
Mike Corrado – IAM District Lodge 140 General Chairperson
905-671-3192/416-407-6535
Bill Trbovich – IAM Director of Communications
416-386-1601 Ext#6331/416-735-9765
