WINDSOR,
ON, April 17, 2024 /CNW/ - Unifor members
at GreenShield Canada look forward to returning to work after
ratifying a new three-year contract by 92% in Windsor and 91% in Toronto with the company, ending a strike that
began on March 1.
"I am so very proud of this bargaining committee and these
members for standing up and fighting to protect good jobs for women
for today and into the future," said Unifor National President
Lana Payne. "We can't advance
equality in this country without the power of trade union women
fighting on all fronts."
Members from Unifor locals 240 in Windsor and 673 in Toronto voted to ratify the new collective
agreement today, after reaching a tentative deal on Monday.
GreenShield reaffirmed the importance of the company's future
sustainability, and the key role that bargaining unit members of
Unifor Local 240 and 673 have played in its success so far. The
company agreed to sustain and grow its workforces in Windsor and Toronto to address job security and
outsourcing.
The company agreed to roll in $3.34 of the Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) in
the base rate salaries. There is also a $2,500 lump sum signing bonus. In years two and
three, there is an additional 50-cent
pay raise per hour for each year.
For those working in IT, software developers will see an added
20 cents per hour and senior software
developers will receive 50 cents more
an hour for each year of the contract.
"We are so proud of our members and our community in
Windsor who supported us every
step of the way, be it through food or firewood donations, or just
by showing up to stand with us," said Local 240 President
Jodi Nesbitt.
"We were committed to keep good, well-paying jobs in
Windsor and not only grow our
membership and protect job security, but also help our community
thrive at the same time. And we're doing just that."
There were also increases to pensions, mental health supports
and added language around the union and company meeting to discuss
pay equity issues.
In addition, this contract has four-day work weeks where
possible and includes two Health and Safety representatives, a
Women's Advocate, a Racial Justice Advocate, and the launch of an
Anti-Racism Action Plan.
"We thank the national union, Ontario Regional Council and
different locals for their support over the past month or so,
including our 30 brothers and sisters at Local 240, who bussed in
and stood with us, shoulder-to-shoulder," said Unifor Local 673
President Maryellen McIlmoyle.
"Our members really put in the hard work and kept the faith with
our bargaining unit. We entered into bargaining with proposals to
enhance conditions for our members, and we are pleased to have
reached a successful agreement for the next three years with no
concessions."
There are over 580 union members in Windsor and 24 union members at Local 673 in
Toronto.
The members are adjudicators, call centre representatives,
accounting staff, client administration and IT services.
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