Media Advisory - CAW ratifies new agreement with Loomis Express

TORONTO, July 3, 2013 /CNW/ - CAW members have ratified new 4-year collective bargaining agreements with Loomis Express, following a series of membership ratification meetings held over the past two weeks.

The new agreements include improved rules governing severance payments in the event of layoff as well as new provisions that protect workers should the employer attempt to contract out work. The deal also includes wage increases of 2.5 per cent across all pay classifications in the fourth year of the contract in addition to a $200 lump sum payment in the third year.

Bob Orr, Assistant to CAW National President Ken Lewenza said contract talks happened against the backdrop of major company restructuring across the country, causing feelings of uncertainty and insecurity among Loomis employees.

"The employer used this restructuring program as an opportunity to table major concessions, including wage cuts, that our bargaining committee simply could not accept," Orr said. "We bargained a no-concessions agreement with modest wage gains and other contract improvements. This is certainly a victory in challenging times."

Orr said this new deal should help provide some necessary stability and certainty for both the company and the workers during the restructuring period.

The union represents 1800 Loomis Express workers across Canada, including drivers that perform pick-up and delivery services, owner-operators, warehouse workers as well as customer service and clerical workers. Loomis workers are represented by CAW Local 4005 in Nova Scotia, Local 4457 in Ontario, Local 755 in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Local 4050 in Alberta and Local 114 in British Columbia.

The following is a breakdown of the ratification results:

• Nova Scotia (95%)
• Ontario (89%)
• Manitoba/Saskatchewan (65%)
• Alberta (84%)
• British Columbia (89%)

The union bargains the five individual agreements simultaneously under what is called a "framework" agreement with the company.

SOURCE: Canadian Auto Workers Union (CAW)

CAW National Staff Representative Len Poirier [phone] or CAW Communications Representative Angelo DiCaro [phone]