Monday October 6, 2014
For Immediate Release
Thunder Bay, On – Management’s last minute removal of a monetary cap on short-term benefits and bargaining concessions for new hires, narrowly avoided strike action, by members of IAM Local Lodge 1120 at Lakehead Motors.
“Our members were adamant about these issues,” explained IAM Local Lodge 1120 Directing Business Representative Pete Topetto. “We had the picket signs ready to go and our members were in a volatile mood.”
With contentious issues out of the way, the membership agreed to let the two tier starting wage for Schedule A technicians stand. New technicians will receive 85 per cent of the wage awarded to Schedule 'A' Journeymen Technicians in the first year, 90 per cent in the second year and 100 per cent in the third year.
The three-year agreement provides across the board wage increases of 3 per cent in the first year and 2.5 per cent in the second and third year respectively. General labourers will also receive an additional 75 cent/hour increase in the first year. All members also receive IAM pension plan increases of 3 per cent in the first year and 2.5 per cent in the second and third year as well.
Other agreement highlights include :
• $100 travel allowance for training
• Non-taxable tool replacement allowance
• Non-taxable safety footwear allowance
• Improved contract language
The 33 members consist of mechanics, body men, painters, parts personnel, shippers and receivers and general labourers at the Chrysler – Dodge – Jeep – Fiat – Mercedes dealership. The IAM represents workers at four other auto dealerships in Thunder Bay and one in Nipigon.
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For further information:
Pete Topetto – IAM Local Lodge 1120 Directing Business Representative
807-475-4779/807-251-0600
Bill Trbovich – IAM Director of Communications
416-386-1789 Ext #6331/416-735-9765
