Despite their bargaining committee recommending rejection, the 315 Vale office, clerical, technical and professional workers belonging to USW Local 2020-05 have voted in favour of the company's offer.
The new contract includes reductions to current employee benefits, revisions to retiree benefits, and elimination of post-retirement benefits for employees hired after April 1, 2017.
The bargaining committee had recommended the union members reject the offer due to the benefit concessions.
“The offer includes wage increases over four years, a signing bonus, an increase to the minimum Defined Benefit (DB) pension, and contract language improvements,” said a press release from the union issued March 30.
If they hadn't signed the contract, the workers faced hitting the picket lines as of midnight on Friday.
