Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Strong Wage Increases for Velocity Mechanical Employees

Kitchener, ON—Employees of Velocity Mechanical Inc. overwhelmingly ratified a three-year collective agreement providing them strong wage increases and a number of other improvements.

The employees are represented by Construction Workers Union, CLAC Local 53. The union has represented them since July 2011. The contract, terms of which took effect on April 1, 2023, was ratified with 97 percent of employees voting in favour.

The new contract provides the 50-plus unionized employees with total value increases ranging between $9.60 and $10.68 per hour (up to 19.3 percent), depending on classification. The core of the settlement value was allocated to wage increases, with plumbing and sheetmetal journeypersons receiving an immediate wage increase of $4.90 per hour. The new agreement also provides for improved employer contributions to employees’ pension plan, enhanced tool and boot allowance, improved travel pay, and new coverage and funding introduced to the healthcare benefits plan.

“Our members expected and deserved exceptional increases to wages, pension, and travel compensation,” says Roger Grootenboer, CLAC representative. “I am pleased that management and the union were able to arrive at this settlement on behalf of the employees. Equally, I am pleased by the strong endorsement of the overwhelming majority vote in support of the settlement confirming we got things right. The terms provide for fair, strong, and secure compensation improvements for our members and their families.”

Velocity Mechanical is a Kitchener-Waterloo-based mechanical contractor providing plumbing, sheetmetal, refrigeration, and gas new construction and maintenance services for clients throughout central Ontario.

Strong Wage Increases for Velocity Mechanical Employees

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