Delta Air Lines Inc. employees in Canada, represented by the United Steelworkers union, have ratified a new five-year contract, which includes maintaining their defined benefit plan and improvements to their paramedical and vision benefits.
“This contract represents a great achievement for our members and for our bargaining committee,” said Steven Hadden, president of the United Steelworkers, Local 1976, in a news release. “With the solidarity and support of our membership, the bargaining committee achieved meaningful contract improvements while also defending our members’ defined benefit pension plan and contracting-out language that maintains job security.”
Read: Unionized Bombardier staff secure pension, dental benefits improvements
The new contract also includes a 4.5 per cent wage increase this year, followed by 3.5 per cent in 2019 and three per cent in the contract’s remaining three years. About half of the employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement will receive additional increases in the first year due to wage disparities, noted the release. These increases will range from 13 to 16 per cent.
“This is a solid collective agreement that recognizes the key contributions the members of Steelworkers Local 1976 make at Delta Airlines,” said Ken Neumann, the United Steelworkers’ Canadian director.
Read: Strike looms as N.S. credit union proposes DB pension closure