New Flyer bus manufacturer workers ratify new deal

Main Image
Image
A group of people wearing red Unifor shirts pose together.
Share

The members of New Flyer, a Canadian multinational bus manufacturer based out of Winnipeg, Man., have voted to ratify a new five-year deal.

“This new agreement will provide stability and meaningful gains during these uncertain times, in light of inflation, for our members,” said Clint Seys, Unifor Local 3003 President. “The biggest challenge going into negotiations was the financial state of the company coming out of Covid, but our bargaining committee stayed strong and walked out with no concessions.”

There are approximately 530 active members of Unit 4 of this local and 200 on layoff. The members ratified the agreement on April 2, 2023, with the contract coming into effect on April 1, 2023 and expiring on March 31, 2028.

The biggest gains of this contract include a 3.95% increase every April 1 in each of the five years, and increased pension to the employer pension contribution by $1 in each of the first three years. There is also increased bereavement allowance for immediate family from three days to four days.

The new contract includes benefit increases, such as orthodontics coverage improvements – from $2,100 to $2,500 lifetime max, vision care from $250 to $275, retirement life insurance increased from $2,750 to $3,000 and attendance bonus increased from $750 to $1,000 over the course of the collective agreement.

“We congratulate the bargaining committee on achieving this new agreement,” said Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle. “This company and these workers are long rooted in the Winnipeg community and these members now stand ready to manufacture Canadian-made transit of the future.” 

These New Flyer members include production workers, welders, painters, machine operators, stock keepers, skilled trades, utility persons (who perform garbage and hazardous materials disposal) and maintenance technicians.