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Unifor Local 1688 members at Blue Line Taxi have ratified a new collective agreement that includes 41 negotiated improvements.
“These were long and difficult negotiations for the bargaining committee, with the original company proposal containing 62 pages of concessions back in October 2020, delays due to pandemic, and four committee members and the local President contracting COVID-19 during bargaining,” said Abed Madi, Unifor Local 1688 Bargaining Chair. “With the continuous support and solidarity of the members of Blue Line unit, we were able to deliver a contract that includes multiple gains including improvements to pandemic language, medical leave and vacation as well as securing new business opportunities for drivers.”
The new 3-year agreement with parent company Coventry Connections was ratified on January 27, 2022 with 74% of voting members in favor. The contract covers 420 Blue Line taxi drivers in the Ottawa region.
“This has been a challenging time for our taxi drivers and I thank the bargaining committee for their dedication and perseverance in obtaining this new contract for these essential workers,” said Ali Enad, President of Unifor Local 1688.
Highlights of the agreement:
- New language that deals with pandemics;
- Increased entitled vacation time off;
- Up to 2 years of medical leave;
- System updates and fixes;
- Improved language in favour of the driver and customer experience;
- New business opportunities like deliveries, cargo Vans and 6-passenger vehicles.
Additional improvements in the tentative agreement will also maintain the exclusivity of certain business to the Blue Line fleet, stability of the plate value, and will guarantee future business secured by the company.
