Thursday october 8 2008,
Called in a general meeting, the members of Local Lodge 1660 accepted the last Robco offer by a margin of 78%.

The collective agreement will be of a duration of 5 years and includes a wage increase of 3% per year, retroactive to February 1st 2008.

More than the wage increase here are other gains obtained in this negotiation:

- Improvements in the grievance procedures

- Prevision on health and safety

- The hiring rate is now $11.00 hres

- Allocation for meals passed from $10.30 to $14.50 spread out during the duration of the collective agreement.

- The team premium as also improved with an increase of $0.10 hre.

- A provision of remoteness was added to the mourning holiday, a paid day and a possibility to transfer a day or days for activity related to the mourning.

- Life insurance was doubled at $36,000.

The members supported massively the negotiating committee.

After having rejected the first proposition in the same proportion the members recognised the great work of their negotiating committee, Oscar Moscayza and Alain Massé, by ratifying the employers proposition.

Well done to the negotiating committee for their fine work.
Well done to the members for their great support.

September 2 2008

The members of Local Lodge 1660 rejected the Robco compagnies offer.

The members rejected the 5 year offer after explanations and discussions

The meeting was held in all respect and calm.

It is with a majority vote of 75 % that the employers offer was rejected.

The parties should meet again to try and resolve the matter.

Sigh of relief for the 450 unionized workers of the IAMAW at GE Hydro, in Lachine : the company, had planned to close is doors at the end of June, was sold to a austro-finn group and are ready to continue the manufacturing activities.

« It is a happy conclusion », recognized yesterday the union business representative in the case, Denis Longtin.

GE Hydro had announced the union on September 2007, their project to close the turbine factory near the highway 20.

However in the last weeks, the union was told that negotiations with potential buyers were positive.

Finally two buyers concluded the transaction with GE Hydro -Andritz Va Tech Hydro (Austria) and Metso (Finland).

The factory will specialize in the manufacturing of crushers and crushing cylinders for the mining industry.

« The new owners have met with the workers. WE have learned that Metso will take care of the factory, meanwhile Andritz will concentrate in the laboratory and research and development », as declared Denis Longtin, business representative of the (IAMAW-QFL) District 11 of the Machinists union.

30 $ hourly wages

The workers paid up to 30 $ hourly - have an average of 45 year old.

« They are good jobs. we expect the new owners give a new energy to the old building (the factory was built in Lachine over 89 years ago», said the union leader.

The terms of the agreement between GE Hydro and the new owners are kept confidential. the transaction should be finalized at 100% by the end of August.

Lets recall GE Hydro had announced to is employees, 250 in the factory, that it would cease is activities after the expiration of the contracts of hydroelectric turbines..

Hydro-Québec

GE Hydro, is own by the American group General Electric, produced over 50 % of the turbines for Hydro-Québec, for the bay James dam.

The factory also constructed hydroelectric turbines for China ( the central of Trois-Gorges) and California.

The business representative Denis Longtin said, «its in part the decision of Hydro-Québec to do business with Brasil and Mexico (for the turbines that caused the lost of the factory in Lachine».

« We could question the attitude of Hydro-Québec that is state-owned that deals with Brazil, when our factories have all sort of difficullties», as concluded the union leader
 

Friday June 6 2008

The members of Local Lodge 1660 accepted the offers of Metso de St-Laurent.

The new collective agreement will be of a duration of 4 years with wages increase over 11%.

More , Denis Longtin Business representative mentioned that the members had other gains. Her are some gains obtained in this negotiation:

Increase in benefices when lay off

Increase in teams premium

vacations

April 30 2008.
The members of Local Lodge 1660 met in an extraordinary assembly to vote on ABB St-Laurent considered as final.

After explications by business representative Alain Rouleau the changes inserted in the new offer, the members where called to vote.

The offer was accepted by a great majority of the members.

The gains won:

3 year contract: increase of wages of 3% per year for a total of 9% the duration of the collective agreement.
Vacations: 20 days holiday after 9 years of services. No more shutdowns. The members will have to chose 2 weeks consecutive and the excess of days left if any could be taken one day at a time.
Working schedules: The members will start 10 minutes earlier.
Banked hours : 40 hours concurrent. Could be taken 8 or 4 hours at a time.
Increase of meal compensation.
Increase of lay off compensation.1 week 1/2 of the basic rate for every year service for a total closing or partial (new).

Avril 2 2008
The members of Local Lodge 1660 met in a general meeting to pronounce themselves on ABB St-Laurent offers.

The negotiating committee is composed of:
Alain Rouleau Business representative
Ginette Dugas President of the shop committee
Alain Bellefeuille shop delegate

Alain Rouleau passed the proposition article by article explaining to the members the changes to the new proposed collective agreement.

After a period of questions, the members voted on the employers offers.

The members decided to reject those offers unanimously (100%)

The points in dispute:

No back time provided
New calculation for overtime
Cut back on percentage of payment on health care
The committee will meet in a few days with the representatives of the employer to try to get an agreement.

INTERNATIONAL WORKERS CELEBRATION GREAT WALK IN MONTREAL THEME: TOGETHER FOR OUR HEALTH WHEN: MAY 3rd 2008 WHERE: LAFONTAINE PARC TIME: NOON Lets us be in great number to show our government that we want to keep our public health care. Invite your family and friends to join us. PETITION www.votezsante.com

Don't let GE Hydro move 240 jobs to Brazil

The management of GE Hydro, a subsidiary of the multinational General Electric, has decided to move its hydro-electric equipment manufacturing operations and its research laboratory to Brazil.

Please send an email to your federal representative, as well as the leaders of the Québec Liberals, Parti Québecois, and the ADQ.

SEND YOUR LETTER NOW

THE QFL ASK TO BOYCOTT PETRO CANADA
Stop buying gaz at Pétro Canada

Montréal, November 26 2007.

The company Pétro Canada ¨Montreal's¨ refinery as put 260 brothers and sisters members of SCEP-FTQ Local Lodge 175 in lock-out,

Pétro Canada persecute to break the (pattern) established by the SCEP in the industrie (on the duration of the collective agreement, the wages increase and the team premium)
Pétro Canada wants to take the union rights acquired to the representative of health and safety and dose of the union President.
Pétro Canada wants to impose a formation program excessively fast without thinking of security, at the end a worker could lose is job if he fails one or the other steps of this program.
Pétro Canada wants to permit transfers of personnel when he wants.
Pétro Canada wants to reduce the rights of workers in regards to working and schedules and assignments.
Pétro Canada refuses all union demand
The workers are determined to resist to this stage to Pétro Canada

WE AK TO ALL OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES NOT TO BUY GAZ AT Pétro Canada AS LONG AS THE CONFLICT IS NOT SETTLED

In solidarity with the members of C=SCEP-FTQ Local Lodge 175
 

Closing of the GE plant in Lachine
In video, the reaction of Claude Dauphin who is a mayor of the Lachine borough where we find the factory.
 

MEMBERS OF LOCAL LODGE 1660 DOMINION SAMPLE ACCEPTED A 5 YEAR AGREEMENT

Wednesday May 2 2007 in a general meeting members of Local Lodge1660 accepted the offers of Dominion Sample.

Here are the major points of this 5 year agreement.

10 people will progress to a higher classification

A 0.75$ hourly premium for 3rd shift workers

A new working relation committee was formed to settle complaints and harassment issues

5 week vacation for people having 21 years and over of seniority

A 5 year agreement increase wages of 4% - 3.50% - 3% - 3% - 3% (full retroactivity)
 

A new collective agreement for the members of Local Lodge 1660 working at Weigh-Tronix (shop)

The members accepted, by a vote of (75%), the employers proposition for the renewal of the collective agreement The new collective agreement provides:Wage increase of 2.5% for each of the two year agreement. The amount of purchasing safety shoes and safety glasses were increases.

An important provision was negotiated concerning payment to the long term collective insurance or members lay off for a duration of 24 months. The employer will pay is part as long as the members maintain theirs.

Increase Lead hand premium also added premium for supervisor of welding and automatic machine operators'. Last improvement, the employer will purchase winter coats for members working on lifts and working in the yard.

Congratulation to the committee!
 

Demonstration in support of Goodyear employees

The Machinists and other Unions were present at the demonstration of support for the workers of Goodyear organised by the QFL Saturday February 3rd, 2007 at Sauve Park in Valleyfield.

The goal of the demonstration was to protest against the plant closure and to assert a claim for a relaunch plan to save the 800 jobs.

The assembly was followed by a march through the streets of the city. We all wanted to demonstrate a show of solidarity, since none of us are safe from such decisions. We only have to think of the transfer of work of Bombardier to Mexico, or the intention of Air Canada to transfer the maintenance of its’ Airbuses to South America, or of G.E. workers confronted by Chinese competition, etc.

General Electric sells its Lachine plant
See the link to the newspaper the Messager Lachine Dorval

Congratulations to Cedric Poulin who becomes the new Local Lodge Recording-Secretary, elected by acclamation during the regular meeting of Tuesday, September 19th.

The IAMAW is pleased to announce its 2007 Scholarship Competition which offers renewable awards each year:

The technical personel of G.E. Hydro have decided to join the ranks of Local 1660, who represent the members in the plant, as well as the Security Guards. Well wish them a hearty welcome into the ranks of Local Lodge 1660.

On August 31st, Local Lodge 2133 merged with our Local Lodge, which represents the 48 employees of Peerless Electric. We wish them welcome to Local 1660.

Resignation of our Recording-Secretary To all members interested in a position of Recording-Secretary, we currently have the position available due to the resignation of our Recording-Secretary. For more information, contact the Local Lodge.

On June 27th, workers of Alstom Power had rejected a first offer, the employer was demanding important concessions on group insurance and overtime, members were dead set against these demands, in no way were they ready to let go acquired benefits !

The negotiation committe returned to the table with a clear mandate supported by a strong strike vote.

This second round of negotiations yielded expected results : the employer withdrew his demands pertaining to the group insurance premium and overtime rates.

The 36 members accepted a new 5 year contract containing raises of 2.75% - 2.75% - 3% - 3% and 3% plus raised benefits on pension and added vacations.

Congratulations to the negotiation team composed of brothers Roland Robitaille, Denis Breton and Jean François Tremblay.