IMP Comox: A Win in Arbitration

Members of Local 21018 work hard at the IMP Group facility in Comox, where they are a critical part of search and rescue in Canada’s west and northern coast and interior areas, yet they have been without a contract for over a year. The employer continually dragged their feet and delayed the negotiation process.

The Union filed for binding arbitration in 2019 and the bargaining team presented their case at a virtual hearing on November 12 and 13 2020.

PSAC is happy to announce that the Arbitrator rendered their decision on November 30, ruling in the Union’s favour in key areas with no concessions. The new collective agreement expires June 30, 2023.

The changes awarded in the four-year agreement include

  • Wage increases of
    • 2% retroactively to July 1, 2019
    • 2% retroactively to July 1, 2020
    • 2.25% on July 1, 2021
    • 2.25% on July 1, 2022
  • Protection from involuntary deployments – language in the new collective agreement states that members cannot be involuntarily sent to another base of operation for more than 3 weeks.
  • Improved fuel tank premium and boot allowances
  • New five-week vacation allotment after 20 years of service
  • Language that moves members to the highest pay level after obtaining their Maintenance Release Authority authorization.

The bargaining team believes that this is a strong award that provides members with many deserved improvements in their working conditions and thanks members working at IMP for their support and solidarity: together we fought off concessions that the employer put forward and gained a fair wage increase and key improvements in the workplace.

Members working at IMP are encouraged to reach out to the bargaining team if they have any questions, a revised collective agreement will be available in the near future.

PSAC Members at IMP Comox – United for a Fair Contract