15 AUGUST 2008 - Steelworkers Ratify Agreement with University of Guelph

GUELPH, ON - United Steelworkers’ (USW) Ontario/Atlantic Director Wayne Fraser announced late Friday that members of USW Local 4120 have voted in favour of a settlement reached earlier in the week with the University of Guelph.

The settlement was achieved after a marathon round of deadline bargaining on behalf of the university’s nearly 1,000 support, administrative and technical staff.  The agreement is expected to be presented to the university’s board of governors on Saturday, August 16.

The settlement protects benefits and the pension formula. Statutory holidays have been increased and options have been added to the employees’ fitness program.  Shift premiums have been increased and long-service employees can expect an extra vacation day.

A negotiated commitment to a joint review of the job-evaluation process and tool, first implemented in 1990, will ensure that pay equity is maintained at Guelph.  The review will be complete by the end of the collective agreement.

There is also a negotiated commitment for the union and the university to work together to achieve a violence-free workplace, a provision that expands on already-negotiated anti-harassment language.

“Our members at the University of Guelph were determined negotiate a decent contract with this employer,” said Fraser.  “The university simply doesn’t run without their skill and dedication, and this agreement recognizes the value Local 4120 members add to the institution.”

Local 4120 members had voted 94 per cent to strike if an agreement could not be reached. 

Canada’s most diverse union, the USW represents more than 280,000 men and women working in every sector of the economy, including about 7,000 at Canadian universities.

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CONTACT:

Margaret Carter (President, Local 4120) 519/824-4120, ext. 58727; 519.239.8083

Fil Falbo (USW Chief Negotiator)905/601-5151