New collective agreement for Dorval’s white collar workers

In a move to counter the effects of unstable employment, the union managed to obtain permanent positions. Aside from job security, non-regular employees will now have the same benefits as permanent employees and can look forward to much improved salary increases. According to the union, flexible work schedules and a global time bank also constitute major benefits in line with the life-family-work concept. Medical insurance to be paid entirely by the employer was also negotiated successfully by the union.

“We are very satisfied with this agreement which, in addition to obtaining salary increases of up to 2.5%, ensures that our members and residents enjoy a six-year industrial peace”, said union president Monique Côté. Not only did the agreement obtain better work conditions for salaried employees overall, but negotiations were also conducted in mutual respect. That means both parties were able to simplify the collective agreement so that it takes into account the realistic needs of this municipality with over 150 employees”, Monique Côté added, as she highlighted the excellent work done by members of the negotiation committee led by union vice president Mario Sabourin.

City of Dorval unionised employees did not have work contracts since June 30, 2006. Their new collective agreement covers the period from July 1, 2006 to December 31, 2012.

The Syndicat des fonctionnaires municipaux de Montréal (SFMM), an affiliate of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Fédération des travailleurs du Québec (FTQ), is the largest union in the province’s municipal sector. It represents more than 10,000 municipal and para-municipal workers who work for the City of Montreal and the 15 reconstituted cities in the island of Montreal, including those who work in para-municipal organisations. In addition to the municipal sector, the CUPE also covers 10 other industry sectors in Quebec - health and social services, education, universities, urban and air transports, hydro-electric companies, Crown corporations and Quebec public organisms, as well as communications.