Workers at the Société de protection des forêt contre le feu (SOPFEU), represented by the Unifor union, have ratified the agreement in principle that had been reached with their employer, so that they now have a new collective agreement.
According to the union, the agreement received the support of 64.5% of workers who spoke out on it. It provides for salary increases of 23% over five years, new flexible leave, an increase in the vacation scale, an increase in guaranteed working hours in the field, as well as various other improvements.
In a press release, Unifor’s Quebec director, Daniel Cloutier, stressed that this collective agreement represents progress for members with regard to salary and working conditions, but he recognized that there is still “much to be achieved.” accomplish”.
The previous collective agreements of the workers concerned had expired on 1er January 2023.
In May, the union members gave themselves a strike mandate, but it was ultimately not used. However, mobilization activities were organized on May 22 in several SOPFEU operational bases.
The Unifor union, which is affiliated with the FTQ, represents SOPFEU firefighters, communications workers, laborers and mechanics.
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