The strike by unionized personnel at Olymel’s Bacon America plant in Drummondville has come to an end, after some 500 members voted in favor of the conciliator’s recommendation.
On strike since May 25, the members have won “very significant gains” following a conciliation recommendation that was adopted by 93% at a special meeting, the Union of Workers said on Friday. by Bacon Inter-America–CSN.
The union said members got a raise of $4.55 an hour over four years, including $1.75 an hour in the first year. He also highlighted a 9.6% drop in employee insurance premiums and improvements for retirement.
Olymel management said it was delighted “at the prospect of a resumption of operations” at its bacon plant in Drummondville “from the start of next week, after verifying the availability of the raw material, i.e. the flanks of pork “.
According to her, the membership rate of union members in the proposal “will allow a serene resumption of plant operations”, saying that she believes that the “improvements” contained in this new agreement will be a positive factor for the work climate, as much as for hiring and retaining employees.
“We are really satisfied,” union president Mélanie Cloutier said in a statement. It was a great struggle where temporary workers and those from Quebec won better working conditions by fighting together. »
According to Mme Cloutier, Olymel “had no choice but to take into account the labor shortage and inflation”.
The company in the production, processing and distribution of pork and poultry meats has establishments in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick and employs more than 13,000 people.
Olymel, which markets its products mainly under the Olymel, Lafleur, Flamingo, La Fernandière, Pinty’s, Tour Eiffel and F. Ménard brands, reported annual sales of around $4.5 billion.