17 August, 2011An unbroken chain of solidarity and staunch resolve by all 157 members of Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) Local 2228 staved off contract concessions in Canada recently. On 8 August, union members ratified a three-year agreement with Sandvik Materials Technology Canada, a subsidiary of Swedish industrial giant Sandvik AB, with an 80.6% vote, ending a successful strike that began on 13 July.
CANADA: On 9 and 10 August, CAW members returned to their Arnprior, Ontario, factory knowing they bested the company's mid-July "last, best offer" of pension reductions, cost-of-living (COLA) rollbacks, and contract language deletions. After Sandvik made some modifications in its original proposals in talks on 29 July, changes that CAW members saw as insufficient and which they rejected. The company returned to bargaining in early August with more revisions that essentially left a prior labour agreement intact.
There will be no changes to the roll-in effect of the COLA, no changes to job security, and pension benefits will remain the same. In addition, there were some benefit improvements and strengthened contract language regarding layoffs. A 1% wage increase is also due at the beginning of the third year.
"I'm humbled by the level of support the membership ha shown in their first-even strike, in the facility's more than 30-year existence," said CAW Eastern Ontario Area Director Harry Ghadban. Local 2228 Unit Chairman Derek Mosley said: "We could not have done it without the unwavering support from the membership and the support from the national union.
"We are proud of the solidarity of our membership in fighting back concessions and holding tough until a negotiated settlement was reached."
And on Local 2228's blog after the 8 August ratification vote, one union member stated: "We can all hold our heads high as we return to work knowing we sent a message to management saying we will not accept your final offer, we go back on our terms. I cannot express how proud I am."
Sandvik Materials Technology in Arnprior manufactures stainless steel and nickel alloy speciality tubing used in the nuclear, aerospace, automotive, and oil and gas industries.
This ICEM release is also available on the ICEM Web-site (http://www.icem.org/en/78-ICEM-InBrief/4609-Canadian-Auto-Workers-Win-27-Day-Strike-at-Sandvik-Metal)
There will be no changes to the roll-in effect of the COLA, no changes to job security, and pension benefits will remain the same. In addition, there were some benefit improvements and strengthened contract language regarding layoffs. A 1% wage increase is also due at the beginning of the third year.
"I'm humbled by the level of support the membership ha shown in their first-even strike, in the facility's more than 30-year existence," said CAW Eastern Ontario Area Director Harry Ghadban. Local 2228 Unit Chairman Derek Mosley said: "We could not have done it without the unwavering support from the membership and the support from the national union.
"We are proud of the solidarity of our membership in fighting back concessions and holding tough until a negotiated settlement was reached."
And on Local 2228's blog after the 8 August ratification vote, one union member stated: "We can all hold our heads high as we return to work knowing we sent a message to management saying we will not accept your final offer, we go back on our terms. I cannot express how proud I am."
Sandvik Materials Technology in Arnprior manufactures stainless steel and nickel alloy speciality tubing used in the nuclear, aerospace, automotive, and oil and gas industries.
This ICEM release is also available on the ICEM Web-site (http://www.icem.org/en/78-ICEM-InBrief/4609-Canadian-Auto-Workers-Win-27-Day-Strike-at-Sandvik-Metal)