Recognition of skills key to Richmond Chrysler deal in B.C.: IAM

Wage scale restructured, increase base rate part of new agreement

Recognition of skills key to Richmond Chrysler deal in B.C.: IAM
The 31 members include auto technicians, service advisors, parts personnel, body shop personnel, painters and detailers. GOOGLE STREET VIEW

Workers at Richmond Chrysler in Richmond, B.C. — who are members of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local Lodge 1857 — ratified a new collective agreement on Nov. 29.

“It was the restructuring of the auto technician’s wage scale and the increased base rate for service advisors that drove this agreement,” said Walter Gerlach, IAM District Lodge 250 directing business representative. “The majority of our auto technicians are level three and the restructuring provided those qualified members with a 6.85 per cent wage increase in the first year of the agreement.”

The four-year agreement provides general wage increases of 1.5 per cent the first year and two per cent in each of the remaining three years, according to IAM.

Other agreement highlights include a restructuring of the auto technician wage scale, an increased base rate for service advisors and negotiated work-distribution language among qualified auto technicians, said the union.

As well, the workers will receiver body-shop wage protection from ICBC fluctuations and new language to address surveillance in the workplace, said the IAM.

The 31 members include auto technicians, service advisors, parts personnel, body shop personnel, painters and detailers.

The IAM represents more than 1,500 workers in auto dealerships across Canada.

 

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