(From Right to left  LL1857-Walter Gerlach,& Dave Betker, Dist250-Andrew Tricker, LL692- Dave Knowls,Dale Poznachuk,
   and Brian Glaum)

 At the Recent BC Federation of Labour Convention Machinists come to the aid of striking Unionists
                Follow this link for more photos and details of the recent convention                               Jan 9 2008
 

      
            Bargaining members at Sulzer Pumps
         Vote yes to a three Year agreement

                                                                             April 19,2008

After Rejecting the companies first offer the Union once again met to reach an agreement, the main outstanding issue was a real wage increase and pension improvements. The company presented its final offer, this was far from the mandate of the bargaining committee so the offer was not voted.
A strive vote was taken and this resulted in 90% in favor of strike, this sent a clear message that the committee was determined to get a fair deal.
The committees agreed to meet and an offer was presented that the committee was willing to recommend to the members. The results were
69% in favor of a new three year agreement that included improvements to
benefits 5 personal time off days per year and a wage increase of 3% in
each year and 10 cents per year towards the pension plan.
 

 

Soyaworld Members Build Joint Council,  
               & Ratify Four Year Contract
                                                                           Jan 14,2008

IAM members at Soyaworld have recently concluded a new four year Collective Agreement that brings wage and increases of 12% over the term of the Contact. The contract had expired in March 2007. This was a long and difficult set of negotiations that commenced in Fall of 2006 with a Labour Board application by the employer that sought consolidation of three bargaining units into a single unit.

Soyaworld had purchased a division of Saputo Foods (Dairyworld) two years previously, and inherited the existing bargaining structure with three Unions: Teamsters, Machinists (IAM), and Operating Engineers (IUOE). Teamsters had approximately 50 members who operated the equipment in the plant, while the Machinists and Operating Engineers each had about 5 members in the maintenance and steam plant, respectively.

Soyaworld made representations at the Labour Board, arguing that a small company faces great risk of industrial instability if forced to bargain three separate rounds of negotiations. Essentially, this application meant that the IAM and IUOE members would be forced into the Teamsters Union and would be forced to assume the Teamsters contact. All three Unions opposed this application.

      (To read More about Bargaining at Soyaworld Click here)

Organize
Organize

District 250 Increases Reward to
$25 Per New Member

Do you know of a group of workers who need representation? Employer treating them poorly? Wages and benefits substandard? Job opportunities not handled in objective fashion? Favoritism in the workplace creating dissension and unhappiness?

We have a solution for these employees: Join the IAM!

And as an incentive for you as the member who provides the contact information to us, there is a reward of $25.00 per working member who is brought into the Union as a result of a successful organizing campaign.

This program has paid dividends in the past: a few years back, a member at Richmond Honda provided us with a contact at another Honda Dealership—Vancouver Honda. After the  Union reached a successful contract with the Vancouver Honda owners, the IAM member received a cheque for approximately $300.

And the greater benefit is that your friends, relatives, and colleagues in non-Union workplaces can enjoy the benefits of Union representation: fair wages, fair working conditions, and a voice in building an equitable workplace.

 Contact District 250 Organizers at 604-522-3991 for more information on how you can work to build a stronger Union.