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Unifor Local 303 at Canadian aerospace manufacturer Firan Technology Group (FTG) in Scarborough, Ontario, voted 81% in favor of the new contract, ending a six-week strike.
“This was a significant and important victory for our members at FTG who are mostly women who have historically been undercompensated for the difficult and complex work they do every day,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “They stood up for their rights and their union and I am so proud of our members for their remarkable tenacity, braving freezing conditions for weeks to secure a fair collective agreement and for demonstrating that solidarity always wins.”
The newly-ratified collective agreement was secured after negotiations resumed with the company in early January. Workers at FTG initiated strike action on December 12, 2023. During the course of the strike, workers endured harsh winter weather conditions, with picket lines sustained throughout the Christmas and New Year period, facing temperatures as low as -25 degrees Celsius. The workers successfully put an end to the use of scab labour at the facility after publicly-shaming the company.
Unifor members at FTG Aerospace build avionic subsystem hardware devices for a variety of customers in the commercial aviation and defense sectors.
The four-year agreement includes substantial improvements to wages, benefits, pensions and paid holidays as well as a signing bonus.
"Our members fought for and won a deal that helps address their immediate concerns,” said Unifor Local 303 President Brian Vance. “These comprehensive enhancements stand as a testament to the effectiveness of our union’s negotiating team and the determination of the workers to achieve a fair and just deal.”
Unifor members’ wages will increase by $3.80 per hour over the life of the agreement, with nearly half of the increase ($1.65 per hour) in the first year and retroactive to August 8, 2023. In addition to the wage increase, the new agreement includes improvements to members’ health benefits with increases to the healthcare spending accounts and the introduction of a new group RRSP program with matching contributions from the employer. Unifor members will also receive a new paid holiday on Family Day.
The new collective agreement expires on August 7, 2027.
