RED
DEER, AB, July 16, 2024 /CNW/ - Members
of Unifor Local 21-A at GATX Rail Canada in Red Deer, Alberta, have ratified a new
four-year collective agreement with the company.
"This agreement reflects Unifor's unwavering commitment to
improving the lives of our members," said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. "The wage
increases, enhanced benefits, and improved pensions are a testament
to the strength and solidarity of our union."
The agreement was ratified with 93% support of the membership
during voting on Friday, July 12 and
is set to expire on January 8, 2028.
The new contract includes wage increases totaling 14% over the life
of the contract, increased shift differential premiums, increase to
the annual safety boot allowance and significant improvements for
members' short term disability benefits.
"We're proud of the substantial improvements we achieved in this
round of bargaining," said Lee
Christoffersen, GATX Unit Chair. "Our members will benefit
from better wages, working conditions, and pensions."
"We have made meaningful strides in this agreement that will
positively impact our members' daily lives," said Stuart Olson, President of Unifor Local 21-A.
"This contract ensures better support and security for everyone
involved."
This program will allow members to maintain their job
qualifications or certifications or re-qualify if necessary for the
specific classifications or required tasks they needed to perform
their work.
The 63 members of Local 21-A are employed as welders, locomotive
and track mobile operators, millwrights, machinists, heavy-duty
mechanics, blasters, painters, and clerks. They handle inspections
of railway tank and freight cars, mechanical repairs, cleaning,
blast lining, painting, regulatory compliance, and various
administrative duties at GATX's Red
Deer facility, which is one of six major service centres
that GATX operates across North
America.
Unifor is Canada's largest
union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every
major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working
people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in
Canada and abroad, and strives to
create progressive change for a better future.
SOURCE Unifor