Dorval, Monday October 7, 2024 — 87% of the 170 unionized Steelworkers who work at the Sheraton airport hotel have ratified a new 5-year collective agreement, with salary increases ranging from a minimum of 5%. and 28% in the first year.
Salary adjustments are planned for the first year for three trades. This therefore makes it possible to increase the salary of receptionists by 11.75% in the first year, that of room attendants by 12% and that of bellboys by 28%.
“It’s great recognition for these workers who were not paid their fair value. We are very happy with these adjustments, which are added to an advantageous increase mechanism which will really improve our purchasing power,” says the president of the member unit of local section 9400, Jean- Pierre Bothelo.
Thereafter, the annual increases applicable to all will be a minimum of 3%, to which will be added an amount equivalent to the increase in the consumer price index (CPI), up to a maximum of 5%.
“This therefore means that union members will necessarily see their purchasing power increase if inflation remains below 5%. “It’s a great way to ensure wages rise above inflation,” observes Steelworkers union representative Harold Arseneault.
The employer’s contribution to the pension plan is gradually increased to reach 6.5% of salary in 2027. Vacation is increased to 3 weeks from the first year of work and the percentages of vacation pay will be gradually increased by the following. The night premium doubles to $2 per hour.
The portion of the group insurance plan assumed by the employer is gradually increased, reaching 60% of the premium in the last year of the contract. In addition, a third flexible day of leave is added for workers with seven years of seniority or more.
Finally, a clause to support victims of domestic violence is integrated into the collective agreement. If applicable, the employer may grant a period of paid leave of one week in order to offer respite or a transition period to a person who is a victim of violence. Note that such clauses have been introduced into a majority of collective agreements in the USW hotel sector. “We are very happy with the result of this negotiation, which went very well,” underlines Jean-Pierre Botelho.
The Syndicat des Métallos, affiliated with the FTQ, is the largest private sector union in Quebec. It brings together more than 60,000 workers from all economic sectors.
