White-collar workers employed by the Association aquatique de Dollard-des-Ormeaux (AADDO) signed their new collective agreement today.

The 58 members, who are represented by the Syndicat des fonctionnaires municipaux de Montréal (CUPE 429), had been without a collective agreement since December 2016. In response to the slow pace of contract talks, last January, they had voted 96% in favour of pressure tactics including strike action.  

Work schedules were at the heart of the dispute between the parties. Negotiations resulted in a staff movement process that facilitates work-study balance. In addition, the employer agreed to reimburse the costs of training and books required to obtain the aquatic certifications, including paid internships.

The collective agreement runs for nine years from January 1, 2017 to August 21, 2026, with wage increases of 1.75% a year and 2% for 2024 and 2025.

“Although we did have several meetings that were respectful in tone, negotiations were difficult. Nonetheless, we did manage to make some major gains for our membership,” declared CUPE union representative Daniel Dussault.