Negotiating a Contract
You and your fellow workers will meet with an experienced representative to draft contract proposals and elect members to a bargaining committee. This committee and your CLAC representative will negotiate with your employer with a mandate to obtain the best possible settlement it can reach on all work conditions.
CLAC will provide the committee access to its research on economic and bargaining trends in your industry and comparable workplaces. No settlement can be concluded until you and your fellow workers (or sometimes fellow local members) have ratified it by a majority in a membership vote.
Your contract will ensure that you enjoy strong representation and excellent work conditions, benefits, and wages, which often includes:
- a fair promotion system;
- a dispute resolution procedure;
- fair wages;
- job security and seniority provisions;
- employer contributions to a pension plan or group RRSP;
- a comprehensive employer-paid health insurance plan;
- education and training opportunities;
- vacation with pay;
- paid holidays;
- personal paid days or sick days;
- pay for jury duty or coroner’s inquest and;
- allowances for uniforms, safety shoes/boots, and other mandated equipment.
Stewards
Once a contract is in place, you will elect union stewards who will be trained as your front-line union representatives. Together with CLAC staff, your stewards will ensure that terms of the contract are followed, grievances are dealt with, and your voice is heard.