Exhibit 99.7
COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT
between:
G.G.S. PLASTIC ENGINEERING INC.
(hereinafter called the "Company")
-and-
TEAMSTERS LOCAL UNION 938
affiliated with the International Brotherhood
of Teamsters
(hereinafter called the "Union")
Expiry: December 31, 2006
PREAMBLE
The Company and the Union each represents that the purpose and intent of this
Agreement is to promote cooperation and harmony, to provide a channel through
which information and problems may be transmitted from one to the other, to
formulate rules governing the relationship between the Union and the Company and
set out their agreement covering rates of pay, hours of work, dispute procedure
and conditions of employment.
The masculine pronoun, whenever used in this Agreement shall include the
feminine.
ARTICLE 1 - RECOGNITION AND RELATIONSHIP
Section 1.01
The Company recognizes the Union as the sole bargaining agent for all employees
of the company in the Town of Bolton, Ontario, save and except supervisors,
persons above the rank of supervisor, employees employed in the tool room,
maintenance, office and sales staff.
Section 1.02
If for any reason the Company transfers its operations to a new plant anywhere
in Ontario, it will offer work opportunities in the new plant to the employees
of the old plant. Employees transferred will carry with them the seniority
ranking, which he or she held in the old plant.
Section 1.03
The Company will provide the union with a list of Supervisory personnel whose
duties would be restricted to supervisory functions. The Union recognizes two
(2) junior set-up supervisors, excluded from the bargaining unit on each shift.
Section 1.04
Supervisors and other senior members of Management will not be permitted to
perform work of the employees in the bargaining unit except for the purpose of
instructions, training and emergency situations.
Section 1.05
The Company shall not contract out bargaining, unit work without the permission
of the Union.
ARTICLE 2 - UNION SECURITY, CHECKOFF OF DUES, AND RE-INITIATION FEES
Section 2.01
As a condition of employment all employees shall be required to pay Union dues
as set down by the Local Union. All employees must immediately assign to the
Union through payroll checkoff and current monthly Union dues by signing the
regular dues authorization and applications for membership card supplied by the
Union, the copy of which will be forwarded to the Union
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office. Dues authorization cards shall remain in effect during the term of an
employee's service with the Company.
Section 2.02
The Company shall be advised of the amount of the current monthly Union dues to
be deducted by written notice from the Local Union's Secretary-Treasurer.
Union dues shall be deducted from the first pay cheque each calendar month and
the Company shall remit the total sum deducted to the Secretary-Treasurer of the
Local Union, within ten (10) days from the date the deductions were made.
Initiation fees will be deducted from each employee upon completion of his
probationary period.
Section 2.03
Unless the Company is otherwise notified by the Local Union prior to the
completion of the probationary period, the Company shall, as a condition of an
employee's continued employment, deduct an initiation fee in installments of
twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per week after the completion of the probationary
period. This deduction shall continue until the initiation fee is paid in full.
The Company agrees to remit such monies so deducted to the head office of the
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Local Union along with a list of the employees from whom the money was deducted
at the same time as the Union dues are remitted.
Section 2.04
It is agreed that all Unions members shall maintain their Union membership in
good standing as a condition of employment.
The Union will notify the Company in writing of any arrears in regular monthly
dues or initiation or re-initiation fees, and the Company will, on the following
pay period, commence deductions in amounts prescribed by the Local Union along
with the monthly dues as provided for above.
If an employee is absent and does not have sufficient pay to his credit, his
Union dues shall accumulate and shall be deducted upon his return to work, not
to exceed one (1) month's dues per week unless otherwise notified in writing by
the Local Union.
The Company agrees to use the Union's pre-billing system for dues and initiation
and re-initiation fees will forward all required information.
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Section 2.05
When remittance is made, the Company will provide a list of all employees and
the sums which were deducted from each employee using the Union's billing
format. In the case of new bargaining unit employees, the Company will provide
the Union with the employee's name, social insurance number, rate of pay, date
of hire, address, date of birth, department and any other pertinent information
which is practical for the Company to provide. The Union will be advised monthly
of changes in the above information.
Section 2.06
The Union will notify the Company in writing of any arrears in dues caused for
any reason or any arrears in initiation or re-initiation fees and the company
will immediately commence deductions in amounts prescribed by the Local Union in
such written notice and forward such monies to the Local Union along with the
monthly dues as provided for above. Such notice of arrears served on the company
shall prescribe payroll deductions of not more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00)
per week. The Union will refund directly to the employee any such monies
deducted in error along with confirmation of such refund to the Company. The
Company agrees to deduct re-initiation fees and assessments if requested to do
so by the Union.
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Section 2.07
The Company will show the yearly Union's dues deductions on employees T-4 slips.
Section 2.08
In consideration of the Company's agreement as stated above, the Union hereby
undertakes and agrees to indemnity and save the company harmless from and
against any and all claims made against it for the deduction of Union dues and
remitted in accordance with the foregoing.
Section 2.09
A seniority list containing the names, addresses and social insurance numbers of
employees as contained in the records of the Company will be prepared and
forwarded to the Local Union office annually during September of each year.
Section 2.10
The Union office is presently acknowledged as Teamsters Local Union 938, ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇. ▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ lX8.
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ARTICLE 3 - MANAGEMENT RIGHTS
Section 3.01
The Union recognizes and acknowledges that the management of the business
enterprise and direction of the working force are faxed exclusively in the
Company and without restricting the generality of the foregoing, the Union
acknowledges that it is the exclusive function of the company to:
(a) Maintain order and efficiency and to make, alter and enforce, from time to
time, reasonable rules and regulations, policies and practices to be obeyed
by its employees.
(b) Hire, promote, demote, classify, transfer, layoff and retire employees;
(c) Discharge, suspend, or otherwise discipline employees, provided that such
discipline is not contrary to the terms of this Agreement;
(d) Determine the nature and kinds of business to be conducted by the Company,
the products to be handled or produced, the kinds and locations of
equipment to be used, and the methods and techniques or work to be used;
and;
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(e) Extend, limit, curtail or cease operations or any part thereof.
Section 3.02
It is understood that in exercising these functions the Company must comply with
all other clauses of this Agreement. When an employee is disciplined or
discharged the appropriate ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and the Business Representative assigned by
the Local Union will be given in writing, reasons for such action. The notice
will be sent directly to the Local Union office for the attention of the
Business Representative.
Section 3.03
In the imposition of discipline, prior suspensions and disciplinary written
warnings will not be referred to or relied upon by the Company for a period
beyond twelve (12) months.
ARTICLE 4 - UNION REPRESENTATION
Section 4.01
No employee shall be discharged for his activity as a Union member or for doing
committee or other work for the Union provided, however, that permission from
the Employer is obtained if
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such activities occur during working hours. It is agreed that such permission,
if requested, will not be unreasonably withheld in any instance.
Section 4.02
The company acknowledges the right of the Union to appoint Shop Stewards and
Alternate Stewards to assist employees in the presentation of their grievances
or other problems. These Stewards will represent the members on their respective
shifts.
Section 4.03
The Union shall notify the company in writing of the names of the stewards and
the name of the Local Union Business Representative or his designate before they
will be recognized by the company.
Section 4.04
The Stewards to be appointed or selected shall have a minimum of one (1) year's
seniority with the Company. It is understood that the provisions of this Article
are intended to provide such employees with time off with pay for short periods
of time to investigate on-the-job problems provided that and so long as the same
shall not be unreasonably abused or taken advantage of by
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such employees. However, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ will not abandon his position until he is
relieved with the consent from his supervisor.
Section 4.05
The Company shall recognize a Union In-Plant Committee comprising of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇(s)
and Alternate ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇(s):
Day Shift: one (1) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
one (1) Alternate ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Afternoon Shift one (1) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
one (1) Alternate ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Night Shift one (1) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
one (1) Alternate ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Union Stewards are to be second in seniority for the purpose of layoff
provisions.
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Section 4.06
The Business Representative assigned by the Local Union may enter the premises
four the purpose of representation, investigation and general goodwill.
Upon consent of the Company to make prior arrangements, which will not be
unreasonably withheld.
Section 4.07
It is agreed that the Negotiating Committee for the Union shall be three (3)
bargaining unit employees, which will include One (1) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ from each shift
plus the Teamsters Local union 938 Business Representative or his designate,
assigned by the Local Union. The Negotiating Committee of three (3) members
shall each have at least twelve (l2) months' seniority with the Company at the
time of their appointment or selection from each shift. Members of the
Negotiating Committee, who are employees of the Company, shall not suffer loss
in pay for time spent during normal working hours attending negotiating meetings
up to and including mediation.
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Section 4.08
Labour Management meetings whenever called by either party will involve only the
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ for the shift in question, the Union Business Representative of the
Union and whichever Management members are required by the Company. It is
understood that the Bargaining Unit employees will be paid by the Company for
all time present at the Labour Management meeting.
Section 4.09
It is agreed that Stewards will be allowed to meet new employees, once they have
completed their probationary period, for a paid fifteen (15) minute meeting with
each employee. The ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ will review the Collective Agreement to explain to
the new employees the contents and meaning of the Contract.
ARTICLE 5 - GRIEVANCE AND ARBITRATION PROCEDURE
Section 5.01
All grievances must be filed within ten (10) working days of the date on which
the alleged violation of the Collective Agreement occurred or became known. The
parties to this agreement
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agree that it is of the utmost importance to resolve complaints and grievances
as soon as possible.
Section 5.02 - Verbal Step
The grievor shall confer with the immediate Supervisor concerning the matter of
issue, accompanied by the Shift ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇. The Supervisor will render his decision
verbally.
Section 5.03 - Step One
If the Supervisor's decision is not acceptable, the grievor shall, within five
(5) working days present the grievance in writing to the Supervisor accompanied
by the Shift ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.
The Supervisor will render his decision in writing within two (2) working days
or sooner.
Section 5.04 - Step Two
if the Supervisor's decision is not acceptable, the grievor shall, within five
(5) working days present the grievance in writing to the Plant Manager,
accompanied by the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇. The Plant manager will render his decision in
writing within five (5) working days or at the meeting.
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Section 5.05 - Step Three
If the decision of the Plant Manager is not acceptable to employee or Union, the
grievance may be presented within five working days after the Plant Manager's
decision by the employee's ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ to the Executive Management to be taken up at
a meeting arranged between Management and the Business Representative assigned
by the Local Union or his designate which will be held within five (5) working
days or at a mutually agreed to time. The grievor, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ will also attend
if available.
One or two additional representatives of the Union's choice may be present at
this meeting if requested either by the Company or Business Representative
assigned by the local Union. Unless otherwise agreed, Management shall give its
decision in writing to the Business Representative assigned by the Local Union
or his designate within five (5) working days following the meeting.
Section 5.06 - Arbitration
If the decision of management is not satisfactory to the Union, the Business
Representative assigned by the Local Union may, by serving written notice within
thirty (30) days of the date on which Management's decision was received, appeal
therefrom to an impartial arbitrator selected
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by the Company and the Union. In the event agreement to an arbitrator cannot be
reached either party may apply to the Minister of Labour for the Province of
Ontario to appoint an Arbitrator.
Section 5.07
The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on both parties. The
fees and expenses of the arbitrator shall be shared equally by the parties
hereto.
Section 5.08
An arbitrator shall not alter, add to, subtract from, modify or amend any part
of this Agreement. He shall, however, in respect of a grievance involving the
suspension or discharge of an employee, be entitled to set aside or substitute
such other penalty as to the arbitrator seems just and reasonable in all the
circumstances.
Section 5.09
With respect to grievances involving discharge, the grievance shall be put in
writing and Step Nos. 1 and 2 shill be omitted and the grievance shall. be dealt
with by starting with Step No. 3 herein.
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Section 5.10
It is also agreed that if any dispute arises between the parties to this
Agreement concerning the general policy of either of the Union or the Company
which affects the orderly administration of this Agreement that either party may
invoke the Grievance Procedure and Arbitration beginning with a conference at
Step No. 3.
Section 5.11
Time limits at any step of the Grievance Procedure may be extended by Mutual
agreement between: the parties.
ARTICLE 6 SENIORITY
Section 6.01
Seniority shall mean the length of continuous service in the employ of the
company as a bargaining unit employee.
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Section 6.02
An employee will be considered on probation for the first ninety (90) calendar
days and will have no seniority rights during this period, following which
seniority shall be backdated to the employment date, and the employee is to
receive a copy of the Collective Agreement.
Section 6.03
Seniority shall govern in the matter of promotions, demotions, shift selection,
layoffs, and recalls after layoffs. If qualifications are equal, seniority shall
be determining factor.
Section 6.04
Employees will be placed on a plant-wide seniority list.
Section 6.05
Seniority lists shall be revised as changes occur and posted on the Union
Bulletin Boards, copies will be supplied to the Stewards and two (2) copies
soiled to the Business Representative at the Union office.
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ARTICLE 7 TERMINATION OF SENIORITY
Section 7.01
Seniority shall cease and employment shall be terminated for any of the
following reasons:
(a) if an employee quits;
(b) if an employee is absent from work for three (3) or more consecutive
working days without having notified the Company and received permission to
be absent in advance where that is possible;
(c) If an employee has been laid off and fails to report for work within seven
(7) days after written notice to report to work has been mailed to his last
address registered with the Company; provided that when an employee is
recalled to work and does not report within forty-eight (48) hours, the
Company may recall the next employee in line, but he is subject to being
displaced if the first employee recalled does report within seven (7) days;
(d) if an employee has been discharged for just cause;
(e) in case of a layoff for a period of twelve (12) Months;
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(f) Is absent for a period exceeding the seniority at last working day; each
new employee will automatically have seniority under this Article of twelve
(12) months;
(g) retires;
ARTICLE 8 - LAYOFF AND RECALL
Section 8.01
In the event of a layoff, employees shall be laid off according to their plant
seniority provided the senior employee is able to perform the work of the
employee he displaces.
Section 8.02
Employees with seniority who are laid off shall be recalled in reverse order to
that in which they were laid off.
Section 8.03
In the event of the curtailment of business or in the event of changed
conditions which will cause a shortage of work, the Local Union will be given
reasonable notice of the Employer's intention
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to layoff regular employees or to schedule some of them for less than full time
hours or for hours other than regular hours in lieu of layoff.
This notice will permit discussion of the problem and provide an opportunity for
either the Local Union or the Employer to make suggestions which could eliminate
or reduce the extent of the layoff or short time situation anticipated.
ARTICLE 9 - JOB POSTINGS, PROMOTIONS, VACANCIES AND TRANSFERS
Section 9.01
If a vacancy should occur in any bargaining unit position in the plant, or a new
position is created different from those named in the Collective Agreement, the
Company will post a notice on the plant bulletin boards in all departments,
setting forth the nature of the job and the rate of pay. All regular employees
only shall have the right to apply for the job on forms and in the manner agreed
by the Company and the Union. The notice shall be posted for five (5) working
days and all applications must be made within this time. Whenever necessary,
this period may be extended by agreement between the Company and the Union.
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Section 9.02
The Company will consider all applicants, but seniority, skill and ability shall
govern.
Section 9.03
The position of an employee who is or will be absent for more than one (1) month
shall be posted. When an employee returns from long term absence, he will take
his proper place in seniority in his last classification.
Section 9.04
Employees on vacation, or absent because of W.S.I.B., short-term illness or
injury, shall have up to forty-five (45) days to make such written application
for all permanent postings.
Section 9.05
All employees by seniority who apply for a position will be given the
opportunity to train for the position applied for. The employee will be paid the
job rate for the job applied for while being trained.
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An employee who is temporarily transferred to the lower rated classification for
the convenience of the Company shall continue to receive his usual rate.
An employee who is temporarily transferred to a higher rated job shall receive
the higher rate whilst so employed.
Employees who are transferred to a lower rated job to avoid layoff will receive
the lower rate while so employed.
ARTICLE 10 - NO STRIKE OR LOCKOUT CLAUSE
Section 10.01
In view of the orderly procedure arranged for the settlement of complaints and
grievances, it is agreed that there will be no strikes or lockouts instigated,
endorsed or condoned by either party to this Agreement.
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Section 10.02
If an employee in the bargaining unit encounters a bona fide picket line in the
course of his normal duties there shall be an immediate conference between the
parties hereto before any decision is made by either party as to whether the
picket line should or should not be respected.
Section 10.03
The Union reserves the right to refuse to handle goods from any firm engaged in
a legal strike with the Teamsters.
ARTICLE 11 - BULLETIN BOARDS
Section 11.01
The Company agrees to provide Notice Boards for the exclusive use of the Union
to post notices of meetings and other Union business notices duly signed by the
Business Representative or officer of the Union.
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ARTICLE 12 - ESTABLISHMENT OF CLASSIFICATIONS
Section 12.01
Upon the establishment of a new classification not shown in the Agreement, the
Company will notify the Union in writing. Such job classification and rate will
be subject of negotiation between the parties.
Section 12.02
If the parties fail to reach agreement within ten (10) working days after the
date of the written notice in Section 12.01, the new classification and rate
will be implemented. The matter may then be treated as a grievance and submitted
to an arbitrator within 15 days of the date of implementation of the new
classification and rate.
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ARTICLE 13 - HOURS OF WORK, OVERTIME AND REST PERIODS
Section 13.01
The basic work week shall consist of five (5) eight (8) hour days for a total of
forty (40) hours per week, Monday to Friday. Overtime will be paid at the rate
of time and one-half (1 1/2) after working forty (40) hours in the week.
Section 13.02
During a week in which a paid holiday occurs, the basic hours of work shall be
reduced by one eight (8) hour day for each paid holiday observed if the employee
has worked the day before and the day after the holiday unless he has been
excused by the Employer.
Section 13.03
It is agreed that it is the function of the Employer to determine when overtime
is necessary and to schedule overtime work. However, both parties agree that
overtime as such is undesirable and every effort will be made to keep it to a
minimum. The Company recognizes the employee's right to refuse overtime work.
Overtime work will be offered by seniority, skill and ability, the most senior
first and then down the seniority list.
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Section 13.04
Should the Company desire to change any work week or shift hours, they must meet
with the Union to reach an acceptable agreement, and this agreement must be
reduced to writing, before any changes are made.
Section 13.05 -- Paid Rest Periods
There shall be one fifteen (15) minute paid rest period per day, taken before
the lunch period. If an employee is scheduled to work overtime in addition to
his regular shift he shall be allowed an additional fifteen (15) minute paid
rest period at the beginning of the overtime period and after each two (2) hours
of overtime worked.
Rest periods shall not be added to or taken in conjunction with the lunch
period.
There shall be a one-half hour paid lunch break as close to the middle of the
shift as possible.
Section 13.06(a) - Perfect Attendance Bonus
The Company will pay a perfect attendance bonus of six (6) hours' pay at the
employee's hourly rate who has a perfect record of attendance for a period of
two bi-weekly pay periods. In order
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to qualify for the perfect attendance bonus, the employee must meet all of the
following conditions:
The employee must attend at work punctually each day and punch his time card
before the start of the shift;
The employee must complete all regular hours each day and punch his time card at
the end of the shift;
Section 13.07(b)
The Company will further pay out a yearly bonus as follows:
(1) Perfect attendance (80 hours' pay)
(2) Miss one (1) day (72 hours' pay)
(3) Miss two (2) days (64 hours' pay)
(4) Miss three (3) days (56 hours' pay)
(5) Miss four (4) days (48 hours' pay)
Failure to attend work for any reason will disqualify the employee from
eligibility for the perfect attendance bonus.
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Without limiting the generality thereof, the following are examples of absences
which will disentitle employees to the perfect attendance bonus
strikes or lockouts
leave of absence
illness, injury or sickness
ARTICLE 14 - CALL IN PAY, REPORTING ALLOWANCE AND INJURY/ILLNESS ON SHIFT
Section 14.01
When an employee is called in to work after leaving the plant following his
regular shift and before returning to work for his regular shift, he shall be
paid a minimum amount equivalent to pay for three (3) hours at his overtime rate
provided.
Section 14.02
When an employee reports for work at the customary time scheduled for him
without being notified to the contrary at least three (3) hours before the start
of his regular shift and is assigned less than three (3) hours of work he shall
be paid at least three (3) hours at straight time rates.
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Section 14.03
If an employee becomes ill or is injured due to a work related accident and he
cannot complete his shift after reporting for work in good health, he will be
paid for the balance of the shift.
ARTICLE 15 -- VACATIONS WITH PAY
Section 15.01 - Vacation Leave
Seniority (date of employment) shall be the date established to qualify for
vacations.
The Company will pay the employee's vacation pay in the week prior to the
vacation.
In each year vacation leave will be established for all seniority employees
according to the following scales;
a) regular employees who have one year or more seniority - two (2) weeks pay
or four per cent (4%) whichever is the greater amount;
b) regular employees who have five (5) or more years' seniority three (3)
weeks pay or six per cent (6%) whichever is the greater amount;
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c) regular employees who have ten (10) or more years' seniority four (4) weeks
pay or eight per cent (8%) whichever is the greater amount;
d) regular employees who have thirteen (13) or more years' seniority (5) weeks
pay or ten per cent (l0%) whichever is the greater amount;
e) regular employees who have eighteen (18) or more years' seniority six (6)
weeks pay or twelve per cent (12%) whichever is the greater amount;
f) employees who attain service every five (5) years thereafter shall receive
a week's paid vacation.
Section 15.02
Employees entitled to more than two (2) weeks vacation shall take those extra
weeks outside the regular summer vacation period at a time mutually satisfactory
to the Employees Management and the Union. The employee may take more than two
(2) weeks in the summer should the Company be in a position to allow his
absence.
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Section 15.03
Summer vacations shall be scheduled between June, July, August and September.
Section 15.04
Employees shall have the choice of vacation periods in accordance with their
seniority subject, however, to the company's right to limit the number of
employees who may take vacations in the respective classifications in any given
week in the interest of efficient operations.
Section 15.05
Vacation pay for each week of vacation leave an employee shall receive forty
(40) hours' pay at his current hourly wage rate, or two per cent (2%) of his
previous years T4 slip whichever is the greater amount.
Vacation must be taken within a calendar year.
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ARTICLE 16 - PAID PLANT HOLIDAYS
Section 16.01
a) The Company will observe the following plant holidays:
New Year's Day, Good Friday
Victoria Day Canada Day,
Civic Holiday, Labour Day,
Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day
Boxing Day,
b) In order for an employee to qualify for Statutory Holiday pay, the employee
must work his regular scheduled work day immediately preceding the holiday
and his regular scheduled work day following the holiday. Any employee who
is absent from work by reason of an on-the-job accident, legitimate illness
or Company approved leave of absence, shall receive his holiday pay,
provided the employee notifies the company by noon of his regular scheduled
work day preceding the holiday or the day following the holiday, advising
of his inability to report for work.
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c) Any Holiday forthcoming from either the Provincial or Federal Government
different from those mentioned in Section l6.01(a) will be added to and
received, by the regular employees.
d) If any of the said holidays should fall on a Saturday or Sunday they will
be observed either on the preceding Friday or the following Monday at the
discretion of the Company.
Section 16.02
Employees on the seniority lists will receive eight (8) hours straight time pay
for each of such holidays without being required to work on such days.
Section 16.03
In a calendar week in which one or more plant holiday is observed, the number of
days in that week which may be worked at straight time shall be reduced by the
number of such holidays.
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Section 16.04
When an employee is required to work any hours in any of the plant holidays
referred to in Section 16.01, he shall receive time and one-half (1 1/2) for the
hours worked in addition to pay for the holiday, and if called in to work on
such a day he shall be provided at least four (4) hours at the time and one half
(1 1/2) rate. The holiday shall be taken on the day that it is proclaimed.
Section 16.05
When any of these holidays are observed during an employee's vacation he shall
receive one (1) day's pay for each of such holidays in addition to his regular
vacation payment.
ARTICLE 17 - EMPLOYER--EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP
Section 17.01
Employees shall conduct themselves in an orderly and respectful manner when
addressing the Employer or its representatives, and in return the Employee or
his representatives shall receive fair and courteous treatment from the Employer
or its representatives.
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ARTICLE 18 - LEAVE OF ABSENCES
Section 18.01
(a) The Company shall grant a leave of absence of thirty (30) days, or more,
without pay to any employee for legitimate reasons. All such requests for
leaves of absence and all replies to such requests must be given in
writing. When such permission is granted, there shall be no loss of
seniority or benefits for the time absent.
(b) For absences less than thirty (30) days employees shall have the option of
adding their- regular vacation allotment to the leave upon the Company's
approval.
ARTICLE 19 - BEREAVEMENT PAY
Section 19.01
In the event of a death in the immediate family (father, mother, wife,
common-law-spouse, son, daughter, sister, brother, grandparents, grandchildren,
step-parents, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law) an
employee will be given the necessary time off and will be paid three (3) days'
pay (hourly rated employees are to receive eight (8) hours' pay per day) at the
regular rate of pay, providing that the period between the day of the death and
the funeral are
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working days. If more time is required for any reason relating to the death, a
leave of absence will be granted.
ARTICLE 20 - JURY DUTY
Section 20.01
An employee who has completed his probationary period and who is obliged to
attend for jury duty will be paid the difference between the amount he receives
for such jury duty and the amount of regular straight-time pay he would have
earned for working his regular scheduled shift or shifts on the day or days in
question in any calendar year. The Company shall be provided with proof of the
employee's service as a juror and of the amount received by the employee in
respect thereof. Failure to tender such documentation will result in the
employee being disentitled to compensation under this Article.
ARTICLE 21 - SHIFTS AND SHIFT PREMIUMS
Section 21.01
a) There shall be no split shifts for employees.
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b) Every hourly rated employee shall be paid a night shift premium of fifty
cents (50 cents) per hour.
c) Every hourly rated employee shall be paid an afternoon shift premium of
twenty-five cents (25 cents) cents per hour.
The shift premium will be added as part of the hourly rate while working on the
shift.
ARTICLE 22 - PAY DAY
Section 22.01
The regular bi-weekly pay day will be Thursday and employees shall receive their
pay before leaving the plant. Should errors be found in one's pay, the Company
will correct these errors immediately and the employees will receive the
adjustment no later than three (3) working days.
Section 22.02
The Company may establish a direct deposit system if it so wishes.
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ARTICLE 23 - SAFETY
Section 23.01
The employees will cooperate in the safety regulations at all times. They safety
and accident prevention devices strict observance of all will make full use of
all and equipment and maintain safe working practices during their hours of
employment within the plant. It is the responsibility of the employees to
observe all safety provisions and to immediately advise the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Plant
Manager and Health & Safety Union Committee Member of any unsafe working
conditions.
The Company will provide each employee with a safety shoe allowance of
seventy-five ($75.00) dollars to be paid on January 1st of each year.
Section 23.02
The Company agrees to continue to maintain provisions for the safety of its
employees in its plant during the hours of employment and to provide an accident
prevention program with reference to accident hazards where the safety of an
employee might be endangered. There shall be a safety committee operating in the
plant.
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Section 23.03
Any outstanding matter relevant to the safety conditions may be brought up and
dealt with at a meeting between the Union and Management.
Section 23.04
The three (3) safety committee representatives of the Union be appointed by the
Union. The Union shall forward a list of members to the Company.
ARTICLE 24 - PREGNANCY, AND PARENTAL LEAVE
Section 24.01
As prescribed by the Employment Standards Act.
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ARTICLE 25 - COPIES OF COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT
Section 25.01
The Company and the Union to provide each seniority employee and each new
employee on attaining seniority a copy of the Contract. The Union and the
company agree to a 50/50 split for the cost of printing the Collective
Agreement.
It is understood that the contracts will be printed by a Unionized printer.
ARTICLE 26 - WAGE RATES AND CLASSIFICATIONS
Section 26.01
Jan. 1/2004 Jan. 1/2005 Jan. 1/2006
----------- ----------- -----------
(.50) (50[c]) (50[c])
Operator/Sorter $12.00 $12.50 $13.00
Cell Leader $13.00 $13.50 $14.00
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Material Handler $13.00 $13.50 $14.00
Insert Handler $12.50 $13.00 $13.50
Quality Control $15.50 $16.00 $16.50
Shipping/Receiving $14.50 $15.00 $15.50
Set-Up Technicians $18.00 $18.50 $19.00
Probation Rate: $1.00 below classification work. After ninety (90) days increase
by 50[c] per hour. After twelve (12) months full rate.
Movements from one classification to one of higher rate - 50[c] less than the
job rate. After three (3) months -- full rate.
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ARTICLE 27 -- HEALTH AND WELFARE
Section 27.01
The Company shall pay the following rates to the Teamsters Local 938 Health 4
Welfare fund for each person on the seniority list:
1st Year $75.00 plus taxes per month towards benefits
2nd Year $100.00 plus taxes per month towards benefits
3rd Year $127.47 plus taxes per month towards benefits
ARTICLE 28 -- DURATION
Section 28.01
This Agreement shall continue inclusive shall become effective as of January 1,
2004 and shall continue in full force and effect until December 31, 2006
inclusive.
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Section 28.02
Either party may serve notice on the other party ninety (90) days prior to the
expiry date of this Agreement of its intention to revise, amend and negotiate a
new Agreement.
Section 28.03
The Contract shall automatically continue from year to year for periods of one
year should neither party serve notice as stated in Section 28.02
FOR THE COMPANY FOR THE UNION
/s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ Milnnes
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/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
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