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Unifor Local 1106 members at Hauser Industries in Waterloo, Ont., have ratified a four-year agreement with the company that moves welders up a pay grade and eliminates the lowest pay grade to deliver a bigger wage increase to those members.
“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for standing up for our members,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
Members who receive the lowest wage in the grid will move from $19.60 an hour to $21.05 an hour and welders will move from $21.99 an hour to $23.48 an hour.
For all other employees, wage increases were 70 cents an hour in year one, 50 cents an hour in years two and three and 70 cents an hour in the last year.
The contract has better language on layoffs, vacation, hours of work and grievances. It also includes monetary gains with bereavement, overtime, health and safety, benefits and a new Diversity and Inclusion Advocate. There were also increases in the dental and pension plans.
The 45 members work as assemblers, welders, fabric sewers, and in shipping and receiving. Hauser Industries manufactures high-end furniture for condos and outdoor recreational spaces, including park benches, tables, seating, and pergolas.
The biggest challenge, said Unifor Local 1106 President Ramon Souto, was ensuring that work stays in-house, by creating training opportunities for members to learn how to weld and move up the pay scale.
“This agreement was well received by the membership,” he said. “It's given our members the biggest wage increases ever seen for this bargaining unit and provides our members with more buying power.”
The contract will expire on Sept. 22, 2029.
