New deal at Air Canada gets approval of union leaders
By Nelson Daily Staff
More than 120 CAW leaders and workplace representatives at Air Canada voiced their unanimous approval at a meeting in Toronto Monday, after reviewing the contents of the new tentative agreement reached on June 16.
CAW Local 2002 president Jamie Ross expressed her appreciation at the support of the workplace representatives across the country, along with crucial support by CUPE, IAMAW, Air Canada Pilots Association members and members of CUPW, CEP and the broader labour movement.
“We have waited a long time for this day,” said Ross. “This was a very difficult round of negotiations with Air Canada and I’m proud of the agreement we reached on behalf of our members.”
CAW National President Ken Lewenza said that he is pleased with what the CAW was able to achieve for Air Canada workers at the bargaining table. The new agreement includes wage increases, improvements to benefits and maintains the defined benefit pension plan for current Air Canada workers.
The issue of the defined benefit pension plan for new hires will be sent to a mediation process and then failing a resolve, will be sent to a jointly-chosen arbitrator. Dates have not yet been set.
Ratification meetings will take place this coming week right across the country, with results to be released on Monday, June 27, via CNW Group.
- The new agreement would cover 3,800 CAW members who work in customer service and sales in major airports and call centres.
- Negotiations began on February 11.
- The collective agreement expired on February 28.
