CAW, Loomis Express reach tentative agreement

'Marathon' talks avoid work stoppage by 2,000 unionized workers

The Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union and Loomis Express have reached a tentative agreement after what the union called “marathon” bargaining talks that narrowly averted a work stoppage.

"The CAW members at Loomis Express stood together across the country and fought hard to resist the massive concessions tabled by this employer," said Bob Orr, assistant to CAW president Ken Lewenza. "The union's master bargaining committee comprised of members from six different provinces is unanimously recommending acceptance of the new agreement."

The agreement was reached in advance of the deadline of 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, June 12. As a result of reaching the tentative agreement, the deadline has been lifted and work will continue at Loomis Express in all locations across the country.

The union will be setting up ratification meetings in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Nova Scotia in the near future.

Further details of the tentative agreement will be released after the ratification process has been completed, the CAW said.

The CAW represents 2,000 Loomis workers across the country in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia.

The union said Transforce, owner of Loomis, had imposed a bargaining deadline of June 11 to reach all collective agreements. There are five agreements, based on region — Nova Scotia (36 employees), Ontario (700 employees), Manitoba/Saskatchewan (165 employees), Alberta (365 employees), B.C. (430 employees.)

Negotiations had been ongoing since December 2012.

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