Centraide Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec - Bargaining Agreement Gets Better with Each Renewal

ROUYN-NORANDA, QC, June 17 /CNW Telbec/ - Steelworkers with Centraide Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec have just accepted a new collective bargaining agreement that incorporates advances in terms of salary and non-monetary clauses. "These steelworkers have been members of our union for the past twenty-five years. The fact that we can improve the contents of our bargaining agreement at each renewal is remarkable. Women workers earn a decent salary", declared Gaétan Lyrette, union representative for the Syndicat des Métallos (FTQ).

Salary increases will be of 2.5% for each of the first two years and 3% for the last year of the three year employment contract. The current salary is $18 per hour. The union was also able to negotiate the implementation of a joint committee to oversee the group insurance plan. Workers with 18 years seniority or more will enjoy an additional vacation week for a total of five weeks vacation each year. An additional movable holiday has been added to those already included in the bargaining agreement. And finally, the Syndicat des Métallos (FTQ) prevailed in its demand for extra union leave.

The agreement was confirmed May 12, 2008.
For further information: Gaétan Lyrette, Syndicat des Métallos (FTQ), (819)
762-3001