Integram Windsor seating strike

By Julianna Bonnett

Employees at Integram Windsor Seating have ratified after a second tentative agreement was presented on Nov. 7.

The bargaining committee negotiated with Integram until a tentative agreement was reached. A ratification vote was held on Nov. 6 at Caesars Windsor. Workers rejected the tentative agreement and hit the picket line. Less than a day later Integram voted approximately 86 per cent in favour of a new contract.

The final agreement was announced on the Unifor Local 444 Facebook page, the Integram Windsor Seating Facebook page and AM800.

Dave Simone, chairman at Integram Windsor Seating said he feels like the company worked out the general concerns of their membership.

“We really captured the needs of the membership,” said Simone. “Employees were looking for wage increases and the benefits for our new staff is better. In needs of our membership, we did a good job securing that goal.”

According to Simone  employees are very satisfied with the outcome.

“There were tons of improvements, including wages… incentives, short term and long term disability and good benefits for rehab,” said Lloyd Phillips, a benefit representative at Integram.

He can see the difference the improvements will make to the workers’ contract.

“It’s all good news,” Phillips. “We can now update our members and help them out, and it’s all positive stuff for us here at Integram.”
Employees at Integram Windsor Seating are scheduled to return to work on Monday, Nov. 14.

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