Xstrata Nickel has announced on 2 February 2007 that members of CAW Local 598, representing production and maintenance workers at the company’s Sudbury operations, have ratified a new three-year collective agreement. In a ratification vote, 87% voted in favour of accepting the new collective agreement. The new agreement expires 31 January 2010, and includes the following highlights: a monetary offer including wage increases of CAD 0.60 per hour in the first year, CAD 0.20 per hour in the second year and CAD 0.20 per hour in the third year; cost of living allowance increases in all three years; a continuity allowance of CAD 8,000 per employee; a commitment to increase flexibility within the job posting process at the mining operations; and improvements in the benefits package.
