July 25, 2007 Local 40 members at Cara ratify new collective agreement 
Click here for photos Richmond, BC - Local 40 members working at Cara Airline Solutions in Richmond, BC, the "Flight Kitchen", voted 78% in favour of a new collective agreement at this airline food production facility today after difficult negotiations that included rejection of a tentative agreement reached earlier in the bargaining process. Contract talks have been taking place since June of this year and the union members at Cara showed great dedication and involvement to this round of bargaining as they came together to stand strong in front of their employer with their demands. Together with their bargaining committee, they demonstrated their strength and perseverance in reaching a resolution to some very difficult issues at this workplace throughout these negotiations. "The Local 40 members at Cara have shown great strength and solidarity during this round of bargaining," said Jim Pearson, Local 40 President/Administrator and Chief Spokesperson for bargaining. "They fully embraced the Service Workers Rising program developed by UNITE HERE that has resulted in contract gains for UNITE HERE members across North America who work in similar facilities. The solidarity, strength and support from one another in the workplace that our members gained during these contract negotiations was the crucial element we needed at the bargaining table." Members from all departments stood together in this round of bargaining as they participated in workplace surveys and signed a petition they then presented to their employer that highlighted their demands and reinforced their commitment to the bargaining process. They attended their union meetings and participated directly at the bargaining table where they spoke out about their working conditions and demands for a fair wage increase and workplace improvements. They also held a successful day of action where they all wore "United for a Fair Wage" stickers on their uniforms to show their solidarity, and through these collective actions sent a strong message to their employer. Members of the bargaining committee worked very hard with their union brothers and sisters to achieve a collective agreement the UNITE HERE Local 40 members are proud of. Some of the highlights of the agreement include: • Wage increases of 12% (4/4/4) over the three year term • Night Shift premium increases • Significant Health Benefit Plan and Pension Plan increases Local 40 members at Cara and UNITE HERE Local 40 would like to thank the members of the Bargaining Committee, who together also showed incredible resilience, dedication and commitment in this round of bargaining: Jim Pearson, Local 40 President/Administrator, Chief Spokesperson Jean Poulton, Local 40 Union Rep Eddy Tang Christina Bencze Hon Kong Sherman Yeung Ka Ma Richard Dietl Edward Leung | 
