WILLIAMS
LAKE, BC, June 18, 2024 /CNW/ - Significant wage
increases and equity measures are key features of a three-year
collective agreement ratified this evening by Unifor Local
3018.
"Unifor members in Williams
Lake have successfully negotiated a collective agreement
that reflects their important contribution to the success of
Taseko," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "The bargaining committee showed
great leadership in demanding new equity practices. The members'
solid support for their committee during this 18-day strike was
critical to being successful."
The contract increases wages 13% over three years. It introduces
a Women's Advocate in the workplace to champion equity and
recognizes the federal labour code's leave for Indigenous
practices. Local 3018 was also successful at adding clarity and
fairness to the drug testing incident procedure as well as
additional transparency during the discipline process.
"Gibraltar mine is an economic
powerhouse in the region, and the community will realize benefits
from this collective agreement for years to come," said Unifor
Western Regional Director Gavin
McGarrigle.
Taseko owns and operates the Gibraltar copper-molybdenum mine. It is the
second largest open-pit copper mine in Canada and the largest employer in the Cariboo
region.
Local 3018 represents 550 workers at the copper mine north of
Williams Lake in British Columbia.
Unifor is Canada's largest
union in the private sector, representing 320,000 workers in every
major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working
people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in
Canada and abroad, and strives to
create progressive change for a better future.
SOURCE Unifor