Workers ratify new deal with Half-Way Mazda Motors in Thunder Bay, Ont.

Wages rise in each of three years of agreement: Union

Workers ratify new deal with Half-Way Mazda Motors in Thunder Bay, Ont.
Workers at Half-Way Mazda include technicians, parts personnel, shippers and receivers, installers and general helpers. GOOGLE STREET VIEW

Half-Way Mazda Motors auto dealership in Thunder Bay has ratified a new collective agreement with International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local Lodge 1120 on Aug. 9.

The three-year agreement provides wage increases of three per cent in the first year and 2.5 per cent in the following two years for all workers including technicians, body men and painters. Wage increases began in July 2017, said the union.

Parts personnel, shippers and receivers and installers will receive wage increases of three, two and two per cent in each year and an eight per cent increase in their IAM Multi-Employer Pension Plan over the life of the agreement, according to IAM.

General helpers will receive a $0.75 an hour wage increase upon ratification and wage increases of 2.5 per cent in the second and third years respectively. They will also receive IAM pension plan increases of 2.5 per cent in the second year and three per cent in the third year.

Other agreement highlights include updated contract language, bereavement leave and a change in vacation language which now allows for more workers to be off on vacation at the same during prime time. Vision care has also been enhanced for all workers, said the union.

Workers at Half-Way Mazda include technicians, parts personnel, shippers and receivers, installers and general helpers.

The IAM represents workers at seven auto dealerships in Thunder Bay, among the more than 1,500 members at auto and truck dealership on Vancouver Island, the lower mainland of British Columbia, Edmonton, Calgary, Fort Frances, Sault Ste. Marie, Markham, Toronto, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador.

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