06 September, 2023 – Although negotiations didn’t start well, Local Lodge 1120 in Thunder Bay, Ontario managed to negotiate improvements to their collective bargaining agreement. The vote, held on 06 September, 2023, was ratified by 90% of the membership.

The Company’s only offer was an increase in wages and pensions over 5 years with no retro-activity on the pension contributions. The Bargaining Committee, consisting of Ron Paquette and Glenn Buchanan, Directing Business Representative for IAM Local Lodge 1120, rejected the offer. The company told the union to file for conciliation as that would be the only offer. 

Local 1120 then held a strike vote to gauge the conviction of the membership. Upon learning of the results of the strike vote (100% in favour) and the looming conciliation the company requested to return to the table.

The results were very positive with an 11.5% increase in wages and pension over 3 years with full retro-activity to March 1, 2023. Members also negotiated a $150 per year tax-free boot allowance, as well as doubling eye care coverage to $400 every two years.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was added as a paid floater per year until it becomes a provincial statutory holiday.

Dominion Motors is a full-service GMC auto dealer providing mechanical servicing, collision repair, parts sales and installation to residents in the Thunder Bay area. There are 24 members working there.