PRO EX Achieves a Collective Agreement

On Saturday, June 20, 2015 at 6 a.m., the Union gave 72-hour notice to take strike action on Tuesday, June 23. On Monday, June 22, at approximately noon, Pro Ex contacted the Union to negotiate. By supper time, the same day, the parties agreed to a tentative agreement.

From there, the Union conducted ratification votes in the 6 locals: Breton, Port Hawkesbury, Annapolis Valley, Campbellton, Edmundston and St. Stephen.

We are happy to report the membership unanimously voted to accept their first collective agreement with Pro Ex.

The new agreement includes: 

• A $1,000 lump sum payment plus retroactivity on wages back to April 1, 2015.

• Wage increases that average 21% over the life of the collective agreement, and raise the lowest paid worker's wage over 35%. 

• Increased benefits including seniority recognition, continuous service as a CUS driver, vacation, sick time, an education fund, and allowances for steel toed shoes and uniforms. 

• Standard provisions of CUPW contracts such as shop steward rights, Union rights, a grievance procedure and job security.  

Congratulations to Sister Toni MacAfee and Brother Jim Gallant of the Atlantic Regional office for their work on the Negotiations Committee and thanks to the members of the Pro Ex bargaining unit for the strong strike mandate to take work action which ultimately resulted in a collective agreement. We would also like to thank all CUPW members for their support during the bargaining process.

In solidarity,