Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations (Sudbury INO) said the new collective agreement reached with its unionized employees, UNIFOR Local 598, Sudbury Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers Union, had a 73.9-per-cent acceptance vote.
The Glencore company and the union reached a new four-year agreement prior to midnight on Jan. 31, when the previous contract was set to expire.
The union said it had taken a strike vote and was ready to walk out at midnight if a new agreement could not be reached. The company had issued a notice to the community that temporary trailers were being set up at the company gates as part of its contingency planning.
Sudbury INO issued a news release that said the new agreement was distributed to workers over the weekend. A vote was held Sunday.
Company vice president Peter Xavier said in the release the contract was good for both sides.
“We are very pleased with the outcome and that the new collective agreement has been successfully ratified by employees. Both teams worked hard to achieve this agreement and to find a balance of improvements that will benefit both employees and position our business for future success," he said.
The release said the new four-year contract became effective on Feb. 1.
“I commend both teams for their dedication and leadership in reaching this positive outcome. We look forward to continued collaboration with Unifor and our employees to successfully accomplish our goals in Sudbury,” Xavier is quoted saying.
Sudbury.com reached out to the union for additional comment on the new agreement.
"We have no additional comment to make at this time," said an email from Local 598 president Eric Boulay.
A news release on the union website quoted national UNIFOR president Lana Payne.
“I congratulate the Local 598 bargaining committee for their work in responding to the members’ needs and working hard to secure an agreement,” said Payne. “There is something in this agreement for every worker and that demonstrates strong solidarity at work.”
Highlights of the four-year contract include a ratification payment of $5,500 in year one and $1,000 in 2028 to regular full-time employees, a one-time payment of $500 to retirees or surviving spouses, increases to short- and long-term disability and dental benefits, new massage therapy coverage, and pension improvements, said the release.
The committee also secured commitments to create a Joint Job Evaluation Committee, to reestablish the construction crew and company funding for a Medication Awareness Program administered by a Retiree Committee. Unifor Local 598 represents 679 workers in a variety of roles in the mining and smelting operation, said the release.
