Union: ‘Fair deals can be negotiated without the need to have strikes’
Workers at a northern Ontario mine have ratified a new three-year agreement.
The 378 Quadra FNX employees, members of United Steelworkers Local 2020, will see improvements in wages, pensions, benefits and job security.
Workers will see wage increases topping three per cent annually:
· an 80¢ increase in the first and second year of the agreement (e.g., Miner 1 increases from $27.94 to $28.74 in the first year)
· an 85¢ increase in the third year
The introduction of two floating holidays is also included in the new collective agreement.
Quadra FNX will continue to pay 100 per cent of the premiums payable under their Insurance Benefit Plan, but will now also pay up to $50 toward the cost for any medical form, or medical update letter. The cap on the Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan will increase to $6,000 annually.
“This deal is good for our members and good for the Sudbury community,” said USW District Director Wayne Fraser. “It clearly demonstrates that Quadra FNX sees its future growth dependant on a workforce that is respected and treated fairly. It shows the community that fair deals can be negotiated without the need to have strikes.”
"The success of our labour negotiations is a reflection of our strong and collaborative relationship with Local 2020 of the United Steelworkers and the support of our employees,” said Quadra FNX President and CEO Paul Blythe.
