After a five-week long strike, a three-year deal has been ratified between the union and officials at Timmins' Xstrata Copper Metallurgical Site just two days after returning to the bargaining table.
A $2,000 signing bonus was agreed upon for the striking members of the Canadian Auto Workers Local 599, as well as a series of pay increases following adjustment for the cost of living.
This initial adjustment, at $0.75 per hour, will be made to the base rate of pay. Members will see wage increases of 3.25 per cent in the first year, 3 per cent in the second year, and 2 per cent as well as another cost of living adjustment in the third year.
Other features of the deal include a $500 tool allowance for apprentices, whose time away at trade school will not count against them for vacation credits or annual production and productivity bonuses.
The contract was recommended unanimously by the union's bargaining committee, while the union voted 77 per cent in favour of it.
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