Latest news with #union
CTV News
an hour ago
- Business
- CTV News
Agreement in principle ratified for a major Hydro-Québec union
A Hydro-Quebec truck is seen in Montreal, Sept.1, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi) A major Hydro-Québec workers' union has just ratified the agreement in principle reached with the employer to renew its collective agreement. The union in question is the Syndicat des employés de techniques professionnelles et de bureau, which has 2,300 members. It represents approximately 100 different job titles, including customer service workers, equipment buyers, warehouse workers, drafters, administrative support staff, and others. The tentative agreement, which was reached on May 28, was ratified by 96 per cent of the workers, according to a statement released Friday by the local branch of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which is affiliated with the FTQ. The union had a five-day strike mandate, but did not have to exercise it. The new collective agreement will be valid for five years. The agreed-upon wage increases are as follows: 3 per cent in 2024 3 per cent in 2025 3.9 per cent in 2026 3.8 per cent in 2027 3.7 per cent in 2028 In an interview on Friday, local union president Dominic Champagne noted several other gains, including a letter of agreement on teleworking that will be included in the collective agreement. 'It maintains the right to telework and will be included in the agreement. We looked at what was being done elsewhere, and it's not customary to include it in the agreement. We checked during the negotiations and found no other union that had managed to include it in the agreement. We didn't find any,' Champagne said. He also noted that the Crown corporation initially wanted to reduce pension and disability benefits but dropped its demands on this issue. 'It's status quo; the employer withdrew its demands on both the pension plan and disability benefits. We maintained what we had,' he said. Champagne also noted the union was able to negotiate a reduction in the number of years of seniority required to qualify for vacation time. It also made other gains related to career advancement and medical arbitration. Hydro-Québec employs 23,280 workers and has 10 union certifications. Several unions are currently negotiating the renewal of their collective agreements. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 20, 2025.
CTV News
3 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
VIA Rail and Unifor reach tentative agreement, strike averted
A Via Rail train is seen on tracks in Dorval, Que., as it heads out of Montreal on Friday, May 23, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi MONTREAL — Via Rail has reached a tentative deal with the union representing 2,400 workers across the country. The deal averts a walkout involving members of Unifor, who had voted for a strike mandate to be exercised as early as Sunday. Unifor says the tentative agreement offers gains in wages, job security and working conditions. The union represents workers at VIA Rail stations, maintenance centres, the customer care centre, in administrative offices, and on board trains. Unifor didn't release details of the deal, preferring to first inform its members at meetings scheduled over the coming weeks. VIA Rail has said it was committed to a fair and reasonable agreement while remaining competitive and providing quality service. --- This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.
CTV News
5 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Quebec campsites may be closed due to strike over long weekend
Parc de la Chute-Montmorency near Quebec City may be affected by a strike of SEPAQ unionized workers. (Wiki Commons) Negotiations continue between unionized park workers and Quebec provincial park management to avoid a strike over the Fête Nationale long weekend. On Thursday, the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (SEPAQ) asked reservation holders not to cancel their stays, adding it will contact them with any updates. SEPAQ confirmed it has received a fixed-term strike notice from its workers that would go into effect from Friday until Tuesday, should the parties fail to reach an agreement. The strike would affect the following: Quebec national parks Aquarium du Québec Parc de la Chute-Montmorency Gîte du Mont Albert Auberge de montagne des Chic-Chocs Camping des Voltigeurs Centre touristique du Lac-Simon Centre touristique du Lac-Kénogami Wildlife reserves, as well as other SEPAQ parks and the customer relations centre, are not affected by the strike. 'Discussions are ongoing with the union, and SEPAQ is hopeful that a satisfactory agreement for all parties can be reached before a walkout occurs,' the agency said in a news release. 'SEPAQ will continue to make every effort to reach a settlement before this deadline in order to maintain stays and bookings.' The union announced the strike, with disputes mainly centred around wages. Syndicat de la fonction publique et parapublique du Québec (SFPQ) President Christian Daigle pointed out that many workers earn about $17 per hour, and the vast majority of them are seasonal workers. The union says it wants a 17.4 per cent wage increase over five years, the same as all government employees. 'This has a major impact on the people we represent. When you only work four or five months a year, missing five days of work is a serious financial hit,' he said. 'It's not something they do lightly, but people are tired of being taken advantage of and not being offered a fair financial agreement by their employer and, especially, by the Quebec government.' If a strike occurs, the establishments affected will be closed, and bookings will be cancelled and refunded. However, SEPAQ said it will continue to offer the following activities: Seasonal campsites. Fishing stays at the Devlin cabins and Lac à l'Épaule lodge in Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier. Day fishing at Archambault, À l'Épaule, Lapointe, Nouvel and Ruban lakes, as well as at Rivière Sautauriski in Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier. As for certain activities offered by park partners, SEPAQ recommends checking directly with them to find out whether or not their activities will take place in event of a walkout. Bookings can be modified or cancelled here.
Reuters
9 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
UK's Unite says TotalEnergies offshore workers win boost to pay
June 20 (Reuters) - UK's Unite union on Friday said that offshore workers employed by TotalEnergies ( opens new tab had overwhelmingly backed a new pay deal negotiated by Unite. "Around 50 Unite members based on the Elgin Franklin and North Alwyn platforms agreed to an enhanced offer which amounts to a 2.25 per cent increase in basic pay alongside a five per cent increase in the offshore allowance," the union added.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Canada Post says it has reached a deal with 2nd-largest union CPAA
Canada Post says it has reached a deal with the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association, the second-largest union representing its workers. The union represents 8,500 of the Crown corporation's employees, most of whom are responsible for managing post offices in rural areas of the country. The new collective agreement includes a wage increase of 11 per cent over three years, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024, Canada Post said in a statement Thursday. The two parties have been negotiating for 18 months. CBC News has reached out to CPAA for a statement. Canada Post has yet to reach a deal with its largest union, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), having sent that group its final offer last month. Final offer put up for vote Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said earlier this month that she would put the final offer up for a vote among CUPW members, and asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board to conduct the vote "as soon as possible." It is still unclear when the vote will take place. CUPW members went on 32-day strike last fall after the two sides failed to negotiate a collective agreement. The strike ended after the federal government imposed a return-to-work order. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
