News

March 04, 2008, 1:27 p.m. EST



Three years ago the membership of the Edgewater Casino in Vancouver got their first agreement through First Contract Arbitration. The current round of bargaining was a lot different.



"This is really the first freely bargained collective agreement on behalf of our 645 casino members of CAW Local 3000," says CAW National Representative Susan Spratt. “We achieved a 90 per cent ratification vote February 29 in support of this agreement. Our members are proud of this agreement and proud of their union,” Spratt said.



The employer asked for many concessions, including a full two tiered-wage package, which would mean current members would make up to $4 an hour more than all new hires permanently. That is what makes CAW policy so critical. No to two-tiering - anywhere - was the key factor in getting the concessions off the table,” she said.



The majority of members will see a 9.3 per cent wage increase over three years, with 3 per cent retroactive to expiry in December and a further 2 per cent increase on June 1. CAW members and their families will finally enjoy a vision care plan and benefits. "We will finally have a union office and double the union representatives in the casino where we can meet our members on site and assist them with their issues," said Ellen-Marie Chiasson, Vice President of CAW Local 3000.



http://www.caw.ca/news/newsnow/news.asp?artID=1729