Avis Budget Ottawa ratifies

Avis Budget Ottawa ratifies wage increases and numerous language improvements with new contract

Avis Budget car rental members in Ottawa ratified a three-year agreement on June 13, 2024.

Employees at or above end rates will receive increases of 9.5% over the term of the agreement. Shuttlers and Utility agents that are currently earning minimum wage will increase to $17.20/hour at date of ratification ahead of the provincial minimum wage increase scheduled for October 1st.

Employees impacted by wage compression, in the current wage grid, will receive a one-time adjustment as follows:

• Employees with 10-19 years of continuous service will receive a one-time adjustment of $0.60 per hour and;
• Employees with 20-25 years of continuous service will receive a one-time adjustment of $0.70 per hour in addition to any increases to their current rate of pay achieved in moving onto the new wage grid.

The Lead Hand Premium will increase to $1.50 per hour in addition to any hourly wage increases.

Language improvements include:

• Health and safety language to include that the employer and Union will work together to create a mutually agreeable anti-verbal, abuse/harassment posting that is to be displayed in the workplace in a location that is visible to customers.
• New language will be added for the employer and Union to cooperate regarding incidents of discrimination, harassment and bullying in the workplace.  
• The safety shoe allowance will increase to $130.00 yearly.
• Shift bid language will require that bidding for posted shifts be done on a seniority basis, twice per year in May and September.  
• Part-time employees will have one floater day upon completion of one year of service. All full-time employees will have two floater days, each year, to be utilized for religious holidays or for another reason of the members choosing. Full-time employees will also be able to carry over one or two floater days to the next calendar year to a maximum of four floater days per year.
• Employees may now request to have one week of their approved vacation commence mid-week for travel purposes.
• New Letter of Understanding for market competitiveness wage rates ensuring that at no time will the rates of pay of a new employee exceed the rate of pay of a senior employee working in the same classification.

Union negotiating committee: Kenneth Alzingre. Union representative: Kim Hunter.

Catch up on all the negotiation highlights from across the province here.

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