A pair of steelworker unions reached a tentative collective agreement with Vale, just over a month before their current deal's expiration date of May 31.
USW Local 6500 and 6200 bargaining teams have been hard at work along with Vale's bargaining team over the past few months in an effort to reach a new agreement in both Sudbury and Port Colborne.
"At the same time, as you all know too well, we find ourselves in extraordinary and unprecedented times," said the unions in a joint news release.
"The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything the world has ever seen, and has made it extremely challenging to negotiate given the distractions and economic impacts associated with containing the virus."
This will be a one-year renewal, which the unions say will allow them to focus their attention on dealing with their health and the health of their loved ones, and allow the necessary time and space for the appropriate attention to bargaining to take place when things return to a more normal state.
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"COVID-19 is naturally causing a high level of stress for our people, our families and our communities, and we recognize that the uncertainty associated with collective bargaining adds another layer of anxiety for everyone involved. While we can't control the COVID-19 crisis, we can control our approach to negotiations," said the news release.
"Throughout the course of bargaining, our committees have been focused on negotiating a forward moving agreement with a common goal of making people's health and safety a priority in every decision. As the global crisis continues to escalate and we are faced with uncertainty, continuing negotiations without knowing when the COVID-19 pandemic will end, impedes our ability to bargain effectively."
Given the need for social distancing, Local 6500 and 6200 members are being asked to vote on the tentative deal electronically.
Union members will be receiving letters with details about the tentative agreement, as well as a PIN code for electronic votiong. There will also be contact information for any members who have questions on the agreement or experience problems with the technology required to vote.
