Steelworkers at Kingston Airport Win First Contract with Garda Security

Annual five-per-cent wage hikes among improvements negotiated by members of Canada's largest security workers union

KINGSTON, ON, Aug. 14, 2013 /CNW/ - Pre-board airport security screeners in Kingston have signed their first collective agreement as members of Canada's largest security union, the United Steelworkers (USW).

Security screeners at Kingston's Norman Rogers Airport will receive an immediate five-per-cent wage increase, followed by another five-per-cent increase on April 1, 2014.

In subsequent years wages will increase by a minimum of five per cent until parity is achieved with airport security screeners represented by the USW at other airports. The Kingston screeners also will receive monthly cost-of-living payments, effective immediately.

As with other workers represented by the USW in the security sector, the Kingston airport screeners will be covered by the Steelworkers' trusteed benefit plan and they will also have a pension.

"The security industry is growing and these workers joined our union to build a more stable future for themselves and their families," said USW Ontario-Atlantic Director Marty Warren.

"This contract provides these new members with all of the protections that unionized workers have in other airports," Warren said. "It also allows the employer to adjust its business model to accommodate the increases. It is an agreement that reflects the growing importance of the security sector and clearly demonstrates the union advantage."

The collective agreement between the USW and Garda Security Screening Inc. was reached following mediation by the Canada Industrial Relations board.

The USW represents most pre-board screeners in Canada's major airports and is the country's largest security workers' union.

SOURCE: United Steelworkers (USW)

Marty Warren, USW District 6 Director, 416-243-8792
David Lipton, USW Staff Representative, 613-260-7205, [email protected]
Bob Gallagher, USW Communications, 416- 544-5966, [phone], [email protected]