WINNIPEG, MB, April 15,
2024 /CNW/ - Unifor Local 144 members at Griffin
Wheel – a Winnipeg foundry that
produces train wheels – have ratified a new four-year contract,
ending a 19-day lockout.
"Congratulations to the bargaining committee that pushed back
and fought hard for our members to honour their needs in pensions,
seniority rights and work-life balance," said Unifor National
President Lana Payne. "We're pleased
to see the company is giving them the respect they deserve for
their specialized and dedicated work."
The new collective agreement was ratified on April 15, 2024, by 87%.
The new contract contains the largest wage and pension gains in
the history of Amsted Rail at the Winnipeg Griffin Wheel plant.
Workers will see an added 4% in wages in years one and two and
3% in years three and four.
The bargaining committee successfully fought against the company
removing the Defined Benefit pension plan and replacing it with a
Defined Contribution plan.
There were also increases in employer pension plan contributions
in each year of the agreement and sunset clause language was
removed from the pension plan. The new contract also includes a new
Health Spending Account for members and increases to health and
safety equipment and clothing.
"This plant has had forced overtime since the 1970s and because
of our solidarity, the members are now able to have 13 long
weekends off in a year," says Unifor Local 144 President
Liz Sousa.
"A lot of our members have been working hard, six days a week,
for the last two years to help the company out. They will now
receive double overtime pay on all hours worked on Saturdays and
Sundays. This is finally step towards reducing burnout and creating
the work-life-balance we wanted."
The 181 members, represented by Local 144, work in melting and
processing at Griffin Wheel. They pour, on average, 850 train
wheels a day.
The contract began March 17, 2024,
and expires March 18, 2028.
Unifor is Canada's largest
union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every
major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working
people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in
Canada and abroad, and strives to
create progressive change for a better future.
SOURCE Unifor