Laval, March 24, 2022 – Around 300 professional drivers of Groupe Guilbault ratified a new collective agreement last weekend. Eighty percent of theLocal 106 and 1999 members participating in union meetings in Gatineau, Boucherville, Quebec City and Chicoutimi voted to accept attractivemanagement offers.
This work contract will expire in three years.
City drivers will receive a 19% wage increase, while those working on the road will now receive hourly wages. They will be paid $26/hour when driving and $22/hour when on duty. Truckers will receive substantial bonuses, notably for training, evening and night work. Long-haul drivers will be paid between $36/hr in the evening and $38/hr at night.
Standard clauses have also been improved.
“Workers are in a strong position in a labour market where the labour shortage is redefining union-management relations,” said François Laporte, President of Teamsters Canada. “Our members in the trucking industry – and in other industries – know that it is in their interest to be more demanding. This is a historic opportunity.”
Local Union 106 President Jean Chartrand also notes that solidarity has paid off once again.
“Our trucking members have been patient,” adds the union leader. “They have waited for years to substantially improve their working conditions. They know that the Teamsters are at the forefront of improvements in trucking and that by standing together they will improve their lot.”
In addition, this employment contract includes a clause allocating financial compensation for the three days of leave provided for in the Canada Labour Code if they are not taken.
Professional drivers have been doing a remarkable job for decades on every road throughout the continent. Their dedication and sacrifice before and during the pandemic commands respect. They are the backbone of the North American economy. Without them, our society would collapse. They deserve every single dollar increase they are getting.
Jean Chartrand would also like to thank the bargaining committee, as well as Brothers Jacques Ladouceur and Michel Michaud of Local Unions 106 and 1999 for their hard work.
The Teamsters Union represents 125,000 members in Canada. They are affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which has 1.4 million members in North America.
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For more information :
Stéphane Lacroix
Director of Communications and Public Affairs
Teamsters Canada
Cell: 514-609-5101
[email protected]
