Higher wages, boosted pension fund part of new deal
The Maritime Employers Association (MEA) has concluded an agreement for nine years with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Local 1375 which represents 103 longshoremen working at the Ports of Trois-Rivières and Bécancour.
''The coming into force of the new collective agreement will contribute to maintain an healthy labour relations as well as a favourable context for the economic development activities of both ports in the area in the years to come," said Stéphane Morency, MEA president.
The agreement includes more flexibility regarding working hours to better meet the expectations of these ports' clientele and to deal more effectively in an increase of tonnage. The agreement also provides a wage increase as well as a significant augmentation to the pension fund's contribution for all longshoremen, said the union.
The Maritime Employers Association is a non-profit organization representing ship owners, operators and agents of vessels, stevedoring contractors and terminal operators.
The MEA has for mandate to act on behalf of its members in the negotiation and management of the collective agreements for more than 1,400 employees working in the Ports of Montreal, Trois-Rivières/Bécancour, Hamilton and Toronto.
