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CAW ratifies new collective agreements with VIA Rail
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The more than 2,600 CAW members working at VIA Rail have overwhelmingly ratified the new collective agreement by 82 per cent overall.
The new agreement is retroactive to January 1, 2007, including wages and benefits and extends to December 31, 2009. Members work in the areas of
maintenance, ticket sales, clerical and on-board services.
The CAW master bargaining committee came to an agreement with VIA Rail early in the morning of July 21, after days of round the clock negotiations, avoiding
a possible strike that would have halted services.
"This is an excellent agreement which includes significant progress in many areas such as the new apprenticeship program in the skilled trades agreement,"
said Bryon DeBaets, President of CAW Local 100.
The collective agreement includes a three per cent per year wage increase, new benefit improvements, including a new Long-Term Disability (LTD) plan and
an apprenticeship program for skilled trades and numerous changes which improve the working lives of our members.
"It was a challenging process and the bargaining committee should be commended for their determination and the membership for their support of this new
agreement," said Bob Fitzgerald, President of CAW National Council 4000.
"This agreement has produced historic work rule changes and an update to antiquated rules which will now provide improvements to the quality of work life for
our members."
Improvements were also made in health and safety, employee assistance programs, life insurance, seniority protection and increases in short term
disabilities.
The CAW continues to pressure the federal government to put in place the necessary funding in order to continue to support this important passenger rail
system that links the country together. The funding is absolutely critical in order for our members to continue to provide excellent service to Canadians. The
union continues to urge CAW VIA Rail members to contact their MPs and to ensure their support for VIA. The CAW Campaign on adequate funding continues to
be top priority of the CAW.
Source: CAW NewsNow and CAW Railfax
Related:
August 10, 2007 - CAW Railfax: VIA Collective Agreement [PDF]
CAW - VIA Rail Campaign
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