Thursday, July 11, 2024

Work Stoppage Averted for 320 Dometic Marine Employees with Arbitrated Settlement

Richmond, BC—An arbitrated settlement was arrived at to conclude bargaining between Service, Health, Manufacturing, and Allied Workers Union, CLAC Local 501, and Dometic Marine Canada Inc. in Richmond, BC.

Wage increases equalling nine percent over the three-year agreement were settled on as well as improved language concerning shift changes and posting.

Negotiations took place for close to a year with the two sides meeting over a dozen times. Two separate mediation sessions occurred at the BC Labour Relations Board. The union took a strike vote in early May and issued a 72-hour strike notice in June. The company responded by issuing a 72-hour lockout notice.

However, the parties agreed to binding arbitration to settle the contract, and a work stoppage was averted. Arbitrator Amanada Rogers issued her decision in late June following a meeting with the two sides.

“This is the most difficult round of bargaining I have ever been involved in,” says Don Mundy, a long-time CLAC representative. “We absolutely went to the wall for the membership. With high inflation over the last few years, members were looking for big wage increases. Unfortunately, the company has seen a downturn in sales and was in a tough financial situation.”

Dometic Marine employs approximately 320 Local 501 members in its world-class manufacturing facility in Richmond. The company produces high-end components for the pleasure craft marine industry and has developed numerous industry-leading patents over the 50 years it has been in business.

Work Stoppage Averted for 320 Dometic Marine Employees with Arbitrated Settlement

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