A nearly four-week strike at the ArcelorMittal plants in Longueuil and Contrecœur ended on Sunday. A new six-year employment contract has been ratified.
Posted at 8:46 p.m.
Unionized workers at the Syndicat des Métallos affiliated with the FTQ finally obtained the end of the coexistence of two pension plans, salary increases totaling approximately 26% over 6 years and substantial increases in the defined benefit pension plan.
New union members will automatically join the defined benefit pension plan, whereas previously they had to choose between a defined contribution plan and a defined benefit plan, the union explained in a press release.
“No new worker will be admitted to a less advantageous scheme, it’s the end of orphans once and for all. Few new union members chose the DC plan, but the very existence of two plans posed a threat. The signal is strong for the sustainability of the defined benefit pension plan and for equality among all workers”, underlined the three representatives of the locals, the president of SL 6586, Jason Braconnier, the president of SL 8897 , François Lévesque, and SL 8060 spokesperson, Éric Imbeault.
The 800 worker members of the 3 locals had rejected the employers’ offers in recent weeks. Management was nevertheless confident of reaching an agreement, saying it wanted to establish “a balance between the competitiveness of our business and the advantageous working conditions of our employees”.
“This contract lives up to the expectations and, above all, the determination of our members. It’s a great victory for solidarity”, concluded the presidents and the union spokesperson.
This vote to ratify the collective agreement puts an end to the conflict that began on February 2. The return to work in the two ArcelorMittal facilities in Montérégie will take place on Monday morning.