Huge Gains for Universal Employees

DATE: March 07, 2011

Brampton, ON—Employees of Universal Fire Systems voted unanimously in favour of a settlement negotiated on their behalf by Construction Workers Local 52.

At a meeting held at the union’s office in Mississauga, employees reviewed settlement terms for a first collective agreement. The three-year contract provides wage increases in each year.

Key points to the employees’ approval was 2.5 percent employer-paid pension contributions and improvements to vacation time, employer-paid health benefits, and boot and tool allowances. The new settlement provides employees up to a 25 percent increase on the total monetary package over the term of the agreement.

“Employees were certainly excited with the level of take home pay as well as health benefits and pension, which they did not have before,” says Stephen Bromell, CLAC representative. “But more importantly, they were looking at the big picture and evaluating their retirement horizon and work-life balance. This contract recognizes these issues while providing the prospect of stable employment.”

Brampton-based Universal Fire Systems’ employees are currently working at various projects in the greater Toronto area.