Just when you thought the praise hadstopped, it would start up again. As negotiations wound down, Sodexo workers could not stop commending the work of their union, which helped them achieve their best ever contract. The recently ratified deal is full of gains and improvements for 115 Local 1000A members at Toronto Pearson International Airport and runs retroactively from October 2010 to October 2014.
“It was a tough set of negotiations, but with the support of the membership, we were successful in addressing all the key issues brought to us,” said Don Taylor, lead negotiator and Director of Manufacturing, Processing and Packing
Sector for Local 1000A. “I am happy for the membership that our bargaining committee was able to strengthen the language and increase the monetary package on their behalf.”
Over the term of the collective agreement, wages will increase by $2.45 an hour for all members of the bargaining unit; health and welfare benefits will be covered 100 per cent (compared to 85 per cent previously); vacation entitlement will improve to five weeks after 15 years of service with vacation pay calculated at ten per cent (compared to a cap of four weeks previously).
“This is the best collective agreement in the ten yearhistory of the bargaining unit,” said Ric Pereira, Staff Representative for Local 1000A and a member of the negotiations team. “The membership sent us a very loud and clear message that they agreed — they ratified the agreement overwhelmingly.”
Furthermore, an RRSP Pension Plan with employer contributions to match employee contributions was introduced and employees will have three sick days.
“Thanks to the union reps, we were able to achieve so much,” said Eduardo Carlos, who works full-time in housekeeping and who has been with the company for nine years. The bargaining committee member was particularly pleased with the introduction of a new RRSP Pension Plan. Employer contributions will start at $5 a week and will double to a maximum $10 a week under the new plan. “When retirement comes, everybody will receive something,” Carlos said.
Morena Sosa, a full-time hostess and bargaining committee member, was particularly pleased about the 100 per cent coverage for health and welfare benefits. “It’s money in our pockets,” said Sosa, who has been with Sodexo for 11 years. “If you get sick, you feel secure knowing you can go to the doctors, get your prescription and not worry about the money.” She was among those pleased with the work of Taylor and Pereira. “They were very professional,” she said. “They guided and educated us in the right way and helped us get a better contract than we had before.”
Roselle Abas, a part-time hostess for four years, said she was happy the new deal gives part-time employees the ability to apply for full-time positions. “The doors of opportunity have been opened for the part-timers.”
Angela DiMatteo, a full-time hostess and bargaining committee member, said the bargaining committee accomplished a lot. “We tried our best and it’s a better contract than we have ever had before.” DiMatteo particularly welcomed the changes to scheduling and shift language. “We worked eleven years and we never really had weekends off,” DiMatteo said. “This will make a big difference to all the full-timers.”
