United Steelworkers (USW) members in Labrador City, N.L., have ratified a five-year collective agreement with the Iron Ore Company of Canada, ending a nine-week strike.
More than 1,300 members of USW Locals 5795 and 6731 will return to work over the next several days, following ratification votes in which approximately 80 percent of members approved new contracts.
USW Local 5795 members voted 79 percent in favor of their agreement, while Local 6731 approved their contract by an 89 percent majority. The workers at IOC's Labrador West operations had been on strike since March 26.
More than 300 members of USW/Syndicat des Métallos Local 9344, based in Sept-Îles, Que., will vote on a similar contract offer tomorrow. Local 9344 members work at IOC's port and railway operations in Quebec.
The new collective agreements include increases in medical benefit coverage, wages and pensions, as well as other improvements, said Ron Thomas, President of the 1,300-member USW Local 5795.