United Steelworkers Ratify New Collective Agreements with Ontario Northland

NORTH BAY, ON, March 3 /CNW/ - Ontario Northland and the United Steelworkers TC Local 1976 (USW TC Local 1976; United Steelworkers) are pleased to announce the ratification of two (2) collective agreements last month by USW TC Local 1976 members, with 86% of locomotive engineers and conductors, and 83% of customer sales service agents and rail traffic controllers voting in favour of the new contracts.

"We are very pleased with the ratification of these collective agreements," commented Paul Goulet, President and CEO of Ontario Northland. "These are extremely difficult economic times for both the Province and Ontario Northland and these new agreements represent a significant positive effort on the part of labour to work within the bargaining guidelines requested by the Minister of Finance."

Goulet further noted that, "in the end, this type of commitment to work together demonstrates a powerful sustaining force in keeping our services strong as part of the overall value contribution that we provide to the economy and people of Northeastern Ontario."    

The contracts, valid from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2014, provide for a cumulative wage increase between 3.5% and 5% over the four years, depending on cost of living increases.  In addition, work rule improvements, which benefit both employees and the Company, were realized, as were increases to the entry wage rates for new employees hired as Customer Sales Service Agents.

"These four year contracts provide stability and allow both our Company and employees to focus on our business and meeting the needs of our communities," said Ron Marleau, VP of District 6 for TC Local 1976 of the United Steelworkers.  "The negotiation process was very professional, with both sides working together towards a common goal.  It is always a good indicator when the membership shows such strong support for the deal."

"With 86% in favour, our members obviously agreed that this was a good contract given the times," commented Shawn O'Donnell, Chief Steward with USW TC Local 1976.  "I would like to sincerely thank our membership for their continued support throughout the entire negotiation process."

The two (2) collective agreements cover more than 115 USW TC Local 1976 unionized employees who live and work in various locations throughout Ontario Northland's Northeastern Ontario service territory, including in the communities of Moosonee, Hearst, Cochrane, Timmins, Matheson, Kirkland Lake, Englehart, New Liskeard and North Bay. 

Ontario Northland, an Agency of the Province of Ontario, was established in 1902 and is a recognized leader in promoting sustainable economic growth by establishing and operating transportation and telecommunication links, primarily in Northeastern Ontario.  With more than 1,000 employees who live and work in the North, Ontario Northland and the economic activity it stimulates, has a dramatic impact in the region.

LABOUR CONTRACT: Voisey's Bay agreement ratified

Vale is pleased to announce that a new five-year collective agreement has been ratified by the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9508 representing mine and mill operations employees at Voisey's Bay, NL.  The settlement marks the end of the strike that began Aug. 1, 2009.

Highlights of the new five-year agreement include improvements to employee wages and the defined contribution pension plan, a cost-of-living allowance roll-in and changes to the employee bonus program. The agreement also includes a special $2,000 return to work payment and an additional $2,000 retention bonus payable three months following ratification of the new collective agreement.  

Employees will be brought back to the Voisey's Bay site within seven weeks following the completion of training and reorientation sessions that will take place in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

February 24, 2011, 3:45 PM EST

CAW members at CP Rail have ratified a new deal by 82 per cent in a series of cross country membership meetings that took place over the last two weeks.

This new agreement includes increases in wages, benefits, retirement incentives and language improvements around work rules and skilled trades.

CAW National President Ken Lewenza offered his congratulations to the bargaining committee for their hard work in securing a deal that was overwhelmingly approved by members at CP. "This was a challenging round of negotiations and I believe the deal we reached with CP makes important improvements in the work lives of our members," said Lewenza.

In this set of negotiations, the union also faced the pending closure of the Ogden shop in Calgary, Alberta. In order to lessen the impact on Ogden workers, the union negotiated retirement incentives, severance programs and work opportunities at Calgary's Alyth facility.

"It was a difficult set of negotiations, particularly given the demographics and varying needs of the membership -ranging from new hires to those heading into retirement," said CAW Local 101 President Tom Murphy. "We were ultimately successful in meeting a great number of these needs."

CAW Local 101 represents 2,100 shopcraft (skilled trades) workers at CP. The CAW reached a deal with CP on February 5.