June 11, 2013 at 2:12 PM
The CAW /ASP Arbitration award has finally been released by arbitrator Brian
Kellar. This concludes an extremely difficult round of bargaining that
ultimately had to be decided by a third party.
The decision followed three days of hearings held in April and concluded with
the parties submitting written briefs to the arbitrator.
The CAW contended that ASP security guards at Pearson had not received a pay
raise since 2007; guards at Vancouver Airport performing the same duties were
making higher wages.
ASP argued that the company had been losing money for the past two years and
had no money for raises. The security contract with the GTAA expires in August
2013; if ASP is forced to increase their bid to the GTAA (in order to cover pay
raises) they could potentially lose the security contract.
Wages
The arbitrator did not accept ASP argument that there should be no pay raises
and ordered a modest pay raise of 1.25% in the first year and cost of living
increases in the second and third year. If ASP is awarded the GTAA contract then
each employee (who is working on August 16, 2013) will be paid $150 bonus, less
tax deductions.
Pension
The old collective agreement required the employer to make pension
contributions of .20 cents per hour per employee. Pension money accumulated to
this point is to be distributed into the employee’s RRSP. Going forward, the
employer will continue to contribute the same amount into each employee’s
individual RRSP (as provided to the employer).
Sick days
Effective January 1, 2015, one additional sick day is awarded.
Bereavement
Leave is
increased to 4 days, with the definition expanded to include common-law partner
and grandparent/ grandchildren.
Scheduling and seniority
A new scheduling
process will be implemented that respects everyone’s seniority.
The final
contract language will form part of the new collective agreement which will
expire August 15, 2016 (to coincide with the length of a renewed GTAA contact).
The union will be holding membership meetings on June to discuss the full
implications of this award. Details of the time and location will be announced
once the particulars are confirmed.
Click here to read the arbitration award
For further information please contact:
Ashley Watkins, Local 2002 Executive Assistant