Dearborn Ford employees ratify new contract with pension, wage increases
Unionized employees at Dearborn Ford in Kamloops, B.C. are receiving a pension boost and wage increases in a new three-year contract, which they voted to ratify earlier this week.
The agreement, which applies to 43 workers represented by Unifor Local 10-B, includes a 0.25 per cent increase to employer contributions in the defined contribution pension plan, a 2.5 per cent wage increase per year, work retention gains, better overtime provisions and stronger language around sick leave.
“The new collective agreement at Dearborn Ford is the result of tough bargaining and impressive solidarity,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor’s national president, in a press release. “The bargaining committee and the entire unit should be proud of their work.”
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Unifor said the negotiations had a “turbulent start,” with the union filing a bad faith bargaining complaint with the B.C. Labour Relations Board in August. The union alleged Dearborn Ford’s managers interfered with union members during bargaining to discuss the company’s proposed concessions.
“I’m very proud of what we accomplished and overcame during this round of bargaining. Solidarity with their bargaining committee made a difference at the negotiating table,” said Rene Pellerin, president of Unifor Local 10-B. “Unifor Local 10-B has had a good working relationship with Dearborn Ford . . . and we hope to build on that relationship going forward.”
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