(Montreal) Workers at the Owens Illinois glass manufacturing plant in Montreal have ratified the agreement in principle that had been reached regarding the renewal of their collective agreement, thus ending their strike.
The indefinite strike of these 330 workers, members of the Steelworkers union, affiliated with the FTQ, began on May 10.
Company management says work will resume this week.
Gathered in assembly, the union members voted 64% in favor of the agreement in principle which concerns a three-year employment contract.
According to the Steelworkers union, the agreement provides for increases of 14 to 20% over three years. Employees with skilled trades will receive two additional increases of $1 per hour for the second and third year of the contract, for a total of 20% increases over three years.
The two pension plans, defined contribution and defined benefit, have also been improved, as well as group insurance, underlines the union of Steelworkers.
Owens Illinois is a glass factory, which notably manufactures brown bottles, in the Pointe-Saint-Charles district of Montreal.
The management of the company said it was satisfied with the outcome and the end of the strike. “We are pleased to have reached a mutually agreeable resolution that continues to provide our employees with competitive wages and benefits, while positioning our plant for future growth and success,” said Jim Woods, spokesperson for Owens Illinois Glassworks.
On the union side, Eric Dumas, president of the local section of the Steelworkers union also expressed his satisfaction. “The company has hit a wall. Since the last strike in 1984, the company has been trying, convention after convention, to undermine our working conditions. It’s finish ! We refused the model that this company is trying to get adopted everywhere. At Pointe-Saint-Charles, we fought for better, we got better and we will be ready to fight for better again. »
