TCRC MWED represented members employed at the Hallcon serviced Rest House at North Bend and Railway facilities Golden British Columbia on the Canadian Pacific Main Line have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new three year contract retroactive to January 1, 2010.  The members of Local Lodge 2922 provide cleaning services at the Rest House and Railway owned facilities and are employed by the Hallcon Corporation who contract out their services to CP.

Director Pacific Region, Henry Helfenbein and I initially met with the membership of Local Lodge 2922 at North Bend on March 15, 2010 to solicit demands for bargaining. We formulated the demands and with approval of Local Chair Patricia Clelland, we served demands and began formal negotiations with Dan Cox, Vice President, Hallcon Corporation in Vancouver, B.C. on March 19, 2010. At the meeting, we read and explained the demands and our position. From that point on negotiations were via email and telephone. Local Chair Clelland was kept fully apprised throughout each step in the process.

A deal was struck on May 14, 2010 and following that, ratification Ballots were mailed out to the membership. Of the possible 12 Ballots sent, 11 were returned with unanimous approval of the Tentative Agreement. Brother Helfenbein and I would like to thank the Membership of Local Lodge 2922 for their assistance and support, particularly Sister Pat. We really appreciate all she does for the small Local Lodge and the Union. We would also like to recognize Dan Cox for the fair and honest approach he utilizes in contract negotiations. He leaves you with the feeling that he genuinely cares about the employees, our members. Without his commitment, this deal could not have taken place as it did.

Some features of the new contract are:

2.75% Wage Increase all Classifications in each of 3 Years of the Contract Retroactive to January 1, 2010

25% increase in Night Shift Differential to a Total of $1.00 per Hour

One additional Paid Sick/Floater Day to a Total of Three Each Year Used at Members’ Discretion

One Time Bonus Additional Week of AV for Employees Achieving 10 Years Continuous Service

One Additional Hour of Pay per Day for Employees Assigned to Train New Staff

Two Day Minimum Training for New Employees

Guarantee of One Employee per Shift Trained in First Aid CPR/AED With Commitment to Train As Many Members as Possible. Wages and Reasonable Expenses Apply for Training

Commitment to Continue Past Practises with Regard to Breaks and Night Shift Rides

Commitment for Gift Card Bonuses or Non Taxed Item and Canada Savings Bonds Payroll Deduction Plan   

The Negotiating Team is very pleased with the outcome of these Contract Negotiations, particularly given the current economic recession. Judging by the returned Ballots alone, it would appear the membership is as well.

In Solidarity,
Ross Terry
Vice President
TCRC MWED