Strike avoided as Redpath ratifies a new agreement
April 24, 2018
On April 22, 2018, members at Redpath in Belleville ratified a new 5-year agreement just hours before their strike deadline. On March 11th, the membership had voted 90% in favour of taking strike action, after turning down a final offer from the employer. Members wanted an end to, or at least a significant reduction in the two-tier wage grid and benefit contribution level gaps.
Wage improvements include $.34 per hour retroactive to December 10, 2017, $.34 on December 10, 2018, $.34 on December 10, 2019, $.34 on December 10, 2020 and $.38 per hour on December 10, 2021. Additionally, all employees hired after November 28, 2010 will receive an extra $.50 per hour retroactive to December 10, 2017 and $.50 on December 10, 2018. Shift Premium will increase $.15 per hour effective April 23, 2018 and an additional $.15 per hour as of December 10, 2019 for afternoon and midnight shift.
Other benefit improvements include and increase to the vision care allowance from $225.00 to $275.00 every 24 months. The two-tiered benefit contribution level gap has been altered so that the top 34 employees on the seniority list will have their premiums 100% paid by the employer. The employees below the top 34 will pay a 20% co-pay, however as the employees in the top 34 leave through attrition, the employees who currently co-pay will transition to 100% employer paid.
Other improvement include:
- language added to ensure that the use of temporary employees is restricted from June 1 – September 1, previously no language existed to restrict the use of temporary employees.
- The employer will now be limited in the ability to mandate overtime on long weekends and during an employees’ vacation.
- The mandatory overtime language has now created an equalized system so that the same employees are not required to work all of the mandated time.
- An increase to the boot allowance to $200.00 up from $175.00 and then to $225.00 effective on December 10, 2021
- The number of stewards has increased by 2 and paid union orientation language has been added for the benefit of new members.
Additionally, an agreement was made that bereavement leave will not impact an employee’s two paid personal emergency leave days under the Employment Standards Act.
Negotiating Committee: Neil Asselstine, Pat Holmes, Alex Mac Quarrie, Jason Snell and Union Representative Paul Hardwick