Unionized workers at the Norbord Strand Board mill in Barwick have a new five year contract.
Unifor says its 135 members have voted 85% in favour of the deal.
The contract gives workers a 10.5% wage increase over the life of the agreement.
It also includes pay hikes for trades workers and students.
Unifor Local National representative Stephen Boon says they have developed a solid working relationship with Norbord and the significant improvements in the deal are reflective of that relationship.
Boon adds the new contract offers long-term stability for the Barwick mill and its workers.
Here are the highlights:
– 5 year deal running from August 1, 2017 to July 31, 2022
– 2%, 2%, 2%, 2%, 2.5% general wage increases
– opportunity to earn up to $10,000 in annual bonus pay for each employee under a new profit sharing plan
– $500 signing bonus
– $1.50 hourly pay increase for trades
– $.50 hourly pay increase for control room operators
– $1.00 hourly pay increase for students
– $.25 increase in shift differential premiums
– $50 increase in annual work boot allowance to $200
– $125 increase in eye glass coverage to $350
– $50 increase in annual tool allowance for trades / $100 for apprentices
– 1% increase in company DC pension contributions to 7% of earnings per year
– 2 paid emergency leave days
– $4 increase in meal allowance to $16
– 1 day increase in paid bereavement for immediate family
– ability to break up two weeks of vacation into single days
– $50 increase in annual employee health allowance pay
– new $600 annual massage allowance
– new $.02 per hour for Unifor paid educational leave
– $3500 annually to Local 324 for training
