Some of the highlights of the agreement include:

• Effective April 1, 2007, an economic increase of 4.25% plus an additional 0.75% for the V9 and V10 classifications
• Effective April 1, 2008, an economic increase of 3% plus an additional step to be added to the top of the existing salary grid (with a 3% increase)
• Effective April 1, 2009, an economic increase of 3%
• Improvements to the Vacation, Bereavement and Illness in the Family Leaves
• Improvements to the Group Insurance Plans

Over 40 PSAC members work at MDS Nordion in Vancouver. Nordion produces medical isotopes for worldwide distribution. The revised collective agreement has an expiry date of March 31, 2010.

The third negotiation session between the Public Service Alliance of Canada and MDS Nordion Inc. is scheduled for July 23 and 24, 2007. The first meeting between the parties was held from April 25 to 27, 2007. The second meeting was scheduled from May 8 to 11, 2007, but was cut short due to the employer representatives not having the mandate to deal with the Union’s monetary issues.

The major outstanding issues include wages, benefits, vacation, shift schedules and job security.

Approximately 40 PSAC members work at MDS Nordion Inc. in Vancouver. Nordion produces medical isotopes for worldwide distribution. The collective agreement expired March 31, 2007.

Approximately 40 PSAC members work at MDS Nordion Inc. in Vancouver. Nordion produces medical isotopes for worldwide distribution. The collective agreement expired March 31, 2007.

Limousine company ends strike at Vancouver Airport

Mar, 31 2006 - 8:30 AM - VANCOVUER/CKNW(AM980) - Drivers for the exclusive limousine provider at the Vancouver Airport are no longer on strike.

A picket line that went up yesterday outside the shell road head office of Limo Jet Gold has been taken down because a tentative deal has been reached.

The 30 drivers are members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada and Union rep Patti Ducharme says the agreement could be quickly approved. “I expect the agreement will be ratified if not today, some time tomorrow,” said Ducharme.

The limousine service is owned by Herb Dhaliwal, a former Liberal MP and Cabinet Minister.

source: cknw.com

Picket lines went up at 8:30 a.m. this morning in front of the Limojet offices on Shell Road in Richmond. When Principal Herb Dhaliwal decided to leave the Limojet offices, PSAC Members blocked Herb’s exit using Limousines and their bodies. Despite his best efforts, Herb was unable to leave the parking lot. A few minutes later after parking his car Herb was seen leaving the area on foot and was picked up moments later on Shell Road.

Picket at Vancouver Airport not expected to disrupt services

Mar, 30 2006 - 8:10 AM - VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980) - A picket line at Vancouver’s International Airport is not expected to disrupt services this morning, unless you’re planning to take a limousine.

Contract talks between Limo Jet Gold and its unionized drivers have broken off, so the 30-members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada have walked off the job.

Union leader Patti Ducharme says there are no immediate plans to move the picket line away from the company’s head office on shell road. “First thing this morning, no, but I wouldn’t rule out us moving those picket lines from corporate headquarters to other operational bases during the course of the day,” Ducharme said.

Ducharme says talks broke off shortly before midnight.

The company is owned by former Liberal MP and Cabinet Minister Herb Dhaliwal.

source: cknw.com

The PSAC represents drivers at Limo Jet, the exclusive provider of limousine service at the Vancouver International Airport. “Management at Limo Jet, have refused to seriously deal with the issue of dispatch fees and allow its employees to make a decent living” said Patty Ducharme, PSAC’s Regional Executive Vice-President for BC.

“On average PSAC members are paying more in dispatch fees to Limojet then they earn in wages to support their families,” Ducharme added. “Instead of getting serious about bargaining Limojet ownership is threatening to close the operation and put people out of work.”

The principals of Limo Jet Gold Express Ltd, including former federal Revenue Minister Herb Dhaliwal, have threatened to close operations as of 12:00 noon this Friday, March 31, 2006. “Picket lines at the Vancouver International Airport would be unfortunate, but our members are not going to back down in the face of these threats from the company,” stated Ducharme.

The main issue in dispute is the amount of the monthly fees the drivers pay to Limo Jet Gold Express Ltd. for the dispatch services it provides. “Union drivers are seeking a small reduction in those fees because they can’t make ends meet, their costs keep going up, and their take-home pay keeps going down,” Ducharme said.

Limojet is also requiring that all drivers incur the expense of providing newer vehicles than the ones they currently provide.

The collective agreement expired December 31, 2005. Limo Jet Gold Express Ltd. and the PSAC have been in negotiations for new collective agreement since February 1, 2006.

For Information: Patty Ducharme – Regional Executive Vice President B.C. 604.430.5631