The financial aspects of the agreement were made retroactive to June 1st, but were unable to gain this back pay until February of 1942.
In September of 1941 we set up a shop committee which was able to deal with the company. It has acted to improve working conditions and to settle individual and group grievances. At that time it was instrumental in establishing the canteen service and later it was able to have the service extended both in time and extent throughout the plant.
In May a Conference of Aircraft Workers was held in Fort William and our delegation took a very active part. The purpose of this Conference was to discuss and to try to standardize wage rates and working conditions throughout the aircraft plants in the Dominion.
In June, through our efforts and with permission of the Regional War Labour Board, the overtime rate was adjusted to an 8-hour day, instead of the old 48-hour per week basis.
A fund has been set up by the company and is being administered by the union, whereby employees in financial difficulties may obtain small loans.
In the recent change-over in company management our executive council took rapid and productive action. A delegation on behalf of all employees went to Ottawa to discuss, with the Minister of Munitions and Supply and the Director of Aircraft Production, the matter as related to labour.
In September we once more chose an agreement committee which drew up and presented our proposals to the company. Conferences were somewhat delayed by the change in management but after members of the negotiating committee appeared before the Regional and National War Labour Boards the agreement was approved and signed on December 11th , 1942. Its terms are here reproduced in full.
General Manager Dave Boyd, at left, met and signed the first agreement between the company and the union. Interestingly, the seniority provisions in the union contract would come into play many years later when the Government suddenly cancelled the AVRO Arrow project. Photo courtesy of Bill and June Longhouse.
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