Steelworkers, Nordia Kitchener ratify agreement

Deal includes improvements to wages, job security

United Steelworkers (USW) members at the Nordia Kitchener call centre in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont., recently ratified a new collective agreement.

The deal — which affects approximately 400 employees — includes improvements to wages and job security

The five-year contract was approved by 80 per cent of union members in its ratification vote. The agreement will help strengthen the call centre’s ability to maintain and attract additional business, according to the union.

The deal includes increases in base wage rates ranging from 5.3 per cent to 13 per cent over the life of the agreement. Employees will receive a further 1.5 per cent wage increase in each year of the contract, effective on the anniversary of their hiring date.

Wage hikes will be retroactive to Dec. 1, 2015.

Additionally, contract language addressing the terms and conditions of employment were strengthened. The agreement also included improvements to job security and the scheduling of sick leave.

“Call centres, by nature, have constantly changing landscapes which can make collective bargaining challenging for all involved,” said Kristine Chapman, chair of the USW bargaining unit that represented Nordia employees.

“In the end, we reached an agreement that we believe will keep Nordia Kitchener on the map for current and future business and that translates into job security for our 400 members. The significant wage increases and improvements to our contract reflect the value that our members bring to their workplace.” 

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