On April 20, 2006, the employees of this new unit ratified their First Collective Agreement.

 

This company provides security services at the Saskatoon airport and at various client sites in Saskatoon.   Included in the new Agreement are virtually all of the standard clauses in the Collective Agreements Local 1400 has with the other unionized companies.

 

Highlights of the agreement (which expires on February 29, 2008) include:

 

Most wages increase by 6.85% immediately, and by a further 2.6% on October 21, 2006.  On March 1, 2007, there is a 40¢ per hour increase to match the increase in minimum wage and on October 21, 2007, another increase of 40¢ per hour, bringing the total percentage increases to approximately 20% for Guard Level 1 over the two year term of the Agreement.  The first of the wage increases are retroactive to February 1, 2006.

 

These members will now be entitled to dental coverage by the UFCW Dental Plan.  They previously only had limited coverage in the event of an accident.  They will also be covered by some sick benefits for the first time, accumulating six paid hours for each 173 hours worked.

 

In addition to the standard Union Security clauses, there will be full seniority rights.  Jobs must now be awarded with seniority as a significant factor.  Layoffs must be by reverse seniority, and there will be a clause on most available hours by seniority virtually identical to the other unionized security Agreements with Local 1400.   All such job security provisions mean all seniority rights will be of a “non competitive” nature.  This means in all aspects of job filling and retaining employees in the event of layoff employees will only have to be qualified to do the work as opposed to “more qualified” than the junior employee.

 

Employees are now guaranteed the greater of benefits provided by Provincial legislation, or the Collective Agreement.  Other new clauses include provisions for union Representative=s visits, union leaves of absences, clauses that prohibit discrimination against an employee similar to The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, and a clause preventing discrimination for union activities.

 

Also Included are a boot allowance, kilometre allowance, minimum shifting guarantees, paid compassionate leave and virtually all other provisions that are found in the other Local 1400 security guard Agreements in Saskatchewan, including employer participation in the Local 1400 Education Fund.

 

Congratulations to these members on their excellent First Agreement.  The committee consisted of members Michelle Robinson and Ryan Friese and was assisted by Collective Bargaining Representative Don Logan.