Thursday, July 12, 2018

Better Wages, Scheduling Are Highlights of New Contract at OEM

Edmonton—More than 600 Local 56 members employed by OEM Remanufacturing Company Inc. recently voted over 90 percent in favour of a new contract that brings improvements in several key areas.

“It is very rewarding to see that after a long and intense set of negotiations we were able to come away with a solid contract that earned the overwhelming support of the membership,” says Mathew Clarke, CLAC representative.

Wages will increase every year of the three-year contract, with the first increase retroactive to January 2018. There were also improvements to vacation entitlement, severance pay for laid-off workers, the employer pension contribution, and an annual allowance for boots and prescription safety glasses.

Significant improvements were made to scheduling, with an agreement to move from rotating to static shifts. There is also an increase in the night-shift premium, and new contract language that clearly defines shift schedules.

Other highlights include a move to a more dependable benefits provider with improvements to the benefits package and a new health spending account; better contract language around promotions and advancements; a doubling of the nonsponsored apprenticeship spaces, which will allow more members to go to trade school; and better sick time provisions.

Local 56 members at OEM work as operation and production technicians, heavy equipment technicians, machinists, welders, electricians, and millwrights.

OEM Remanufacturing Inc. is a facility that covers 315,000 square feet and focuses on the remanufacture and repair of Caterpillar engines and engine components. It rebuilds diesel and natural gas engines, transmissions, torque converters, wheels, differentials, pumps, turbochargers, and many other components and parts used in off-highway machines.

OEM’s major customers are in the mining, construction, forestry, natural gas, railroad, and marine sectors.

Better Wages, Scheduling Are Highlights of New Contract at OEM

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