Establishes pattern bargaining for rest of industry
Unifor and Suncor have agreed to a three-year deal that will cover more than 8,500 energy and chemical workers across Canada.
The collective agreement will set the pattern for Unifor's negotiations with other companies in the industry.
"The agreement recognizes the state of the industry but compensates our members and the communities they live in fairly, as we transition one of Canada's most important industries," said Unifor president Jerry Dias.
After Suncor was chosen as the employer who would first reach a pattern agreement, negotiations began early in 2016. A tentative deal was reached Aug. 9 and ratified by local Unifor leaders this week.
"Resource jobs are good jobs that sustain thousands of families and are the backbone of many communities," said bargaining committee member Doug Moysich.
Unifor is Canada's largest private-sector union, representing more than 310,000 workers.
