ONTC union ratifies agreement

One of the unions representing hourly employees at the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission has ratified a multi-year agreement.

Further information is included in the following news release issued by the Canadian Auto Workers:

Following three days of ratification meetings and voting at locations around northeastern Ontario and northwestern Quebec, CAW Local 103 members have overwhelmingly accepted by a margin of 86.3% the agreement reached last Friday (Feb 18) with Ontario Northland.

“Clearly the vote results confirm that the bargaining committee was able to bring back an agreement that satisfied the bargaining objectives of the membership,” said Brian Stevens, President of CAW Local 103

Highlights of the three year deal -- Wage increase of 3% effective January 1, 2005 and further 3% in January 06 and 3% in January 07. Skill Trades premium in January 2005 and increased in January 2006. Establish Coordinator, Instructor and Technical Support Worker classifications as well as new Customer Service and Crew Management Clerk’s rates. Bereavement Leave will now include daughter-in-law and son-in-law. On Pensions, the union achieved a commitment to begin a Pension Plan design review process.

“This agreement not only meets the needs of our members, but more importantly maintains ONTC’s competitiveness, as it continues to search out new customers, new contracts while continuing to provide the valuable services residents and businesses in the region depend upon,” added Stevens

In addition to a number of contract language changes, all CAW Benefit Plans will be amended to include (effective March 1, 2005) improved Dental benefits, Paramedical coverage to an annual limit, partial costs of hearing aids, Weekly Indemnity will be increased in each year of agreement and partial costs of services of an ophthalmologist or licensed optometrist to name a few.

CAW Local 103 represents clerical, stores, rail and bus maintenance, on-board service Cochrane Station Inn employees, customer service clerks and crew management center employees in North Bay, New Liskeard, Englehart, Kirkland Lake, Rouyn PQ, Cochrane, Timmins, Hearst and Moosonee.