Have you ever heard the expression Rome wasn't built in a day? Well, the same analogy can be used for the collective bargaining process. It takes time and commitment to negotiate a good collective agreement. The blocks to build a good contract start with organizing and joining a union. Once workers have a union to represent them, a contract can be negotiated. With each subsequent round of negotiations improvements can be made and new language can be added. As an example of what can be achieved, the following is a chronological list of the bargaining gains made by our GM members.
| 1936 |
Local 199 Sign Charter |
| 1937 |
First Contract at McKinnon's |
| 1940 |
Paid Vacation |
| 1941 |
McKinnon's Wage Parity (GM) |
| 1943 |
Union Recognition |
| 1945 |
Post War Wage Increases |
| 1945 |
Union Security (Rand Formula) |
| 1948 |
Paid Holidays |
| 1948 |
Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) |
| 1950 |
Employer Paid Pensions |
| 1950 |
Annual Improvement Factor (Wage AIF) |
| 1954 |
Medical/hospital/ surgical coverage |
| 1953 |
Local Agreements in effect |
| 1955 |
Supplemental Unemployment Benefits (SUB) |
| 1964 |
Paid Time Off |
| 1964 |
Overtime Rules |
| 1964 |
Paid Jury Duty |
| 1964 |
Signing Bonus |
| 1970 |
Early Retirement Option (55 + 30 = Out) |
| 1973 |
Vision Dental Benefits |
| 1973 |
Health & Safety Committees |
| 1973 |
Voluntary Overtime |
| 1976 |
Paid Personal Holidays (PPH) |
| 1976 |
Shorter work week |
| 1976 |
30 & Out Pension, regardless of age |
| 1976 |
Hearing Aids |
| 1977 |
Paid Education Leave (PEL) |
| 1982 |
Paid Maternity Leave |
| 1982 |
Pension Coverage for Laid off Workers |
| 1983 |
Child Care |
| 1984 |
Legal Service Plan |
| 1984 |
Income Maintenance Plan (IMP) |
| 1984 |
Union Counsellors |
| 1984 |
Affirmative Action |
| 1986 |
Health & Safety Company Wide Coordinators |
| 1986 |
Weekend Workers |
| 1987 |
Pension Indexing (for future retirees) |
| 1987 |
Child care Expanded |
| 1987 |
Letter of Neutrality, No interference to Organize |
| 1990 |
Social Justice Fund |
| 1990 |
Four Day Weekends |
| 1990 |
Vacation Bonus |
| 1990 |
Income Security Program |
| 1990 |
Improved Severance package |
| 1992 |
Same Sex Benefits |
| 1993 |
Scheduled Paid Absence (SPA Weeks) |
| 1993 |
Lump Sum Retirement Incentives |
| 1993 |
Employment Equity Representatives / Women's Advocates |
| 1993 |
Harassment Training: Right to Refuse |
| 1996 |
IMP /SUB closure Language |
| 1996 |
Outsource Protection / Work Ownership |
| 1996 |
Protection from Changes to Labour Laws |
| 1996 |
Union Training Funds |
| 1999 |
Pension Indexation (for all past and future retirees) |
| 1999 |
New Childcare Benefit |
| 1999 |
Tuition Assistance for Dependents |
| 2002 |
Investment and Job for Canadian Facilities |
| 2002 |
Laser Eye Surgery |
| 2002 |
Paramedical Services |
| 2002 |
Dependents of Retirees now covered for tuition refund |
| 2005 |
Pension for Surviving Children |
| 2005 |
Car Discounts |
| 2005 |
Car Insurance Rebate |
| 2005 |
PSA Test |
| 2005 |
Eye Examination Coverage |
