New Contract at New Flyer

Workers vote in favour of accepting agreement.

The more than 600 CAW Local 3003 members who work at New Flyer Industries in Winnipeg voted 82 per cent in favour of accepting a new contract on April 30. The three-year deal includes wage increases of 60 cents an hour across the board in each of the three years plus major improvements in the pension plan. Improvements were also made in health and safety language, domestic violence language, contracting out, the merit/demerit system and more.

MFL President Darlene Dziewit gave encouragement and expressed the gratitude of the labour movement to striking New Flyer workers.

The settlement brought to an end a strike that had begun on on April 5. The striking workers received widespread support from the labour movement during the strike.

On April 20, representatives of various unions and labour organizations joined striking New Flyer workers on their picket line. Organized by the Winnipeg Labour Council and the Manitoba Federation of Labour, the show of support included free hot dogs and drinks for everyone.

The factory produces about 1,500 transit buses a year. They're sold throughout North America. The company also has two plants in Minnesota.

Additional thumbnails of photos from the April 20 picket line are shown below. You can click on any of the images to see larger versions of the photo.