Postma Concrete Employees Ratify Renewed Contract

DATE: October 13, 2011

Wyoming, ON—Construction Workers Local 53 members employed by Postma Concrete Forming have accepted terms for a renewed collective agreement, which provides them with annual increases to wage rates and pension contributions.

The agreement, ratified unanimously at the vote, also includes provisions for improved reimbursement for safety boots and extended coverage for health care benefits. A main feature of the settlement was a reduction in the daily overtime threshold (i.e., the number of hours in a day after which overtime pay becomes mandatory).

“This contract delivers what our members wanted,” says Roger Grootenboer, Ontario representative. “They were clear in the direction they gave us at the beginning of the negotiation process. They wanted fair increases in compensation and a reduction in daily hours of work at straight time. More importantly, the agreement works for all parties involved. It offers the prospect of stable business growth, which provides employment for our members for the foreseeable future.”