Unionized workers at West Fraser Timber in Barwick have ratified a new four-year deal.
The 150 members of Unifor voted 88 per cent in support.
The deal includes wages increasing 23 per cent by 2026.
“Our Local 324 members in Barwick were very pleased to secure a solid, long-term deal that achieves some of the largest wage increases ever negotiated at this mill,” says Katrina Peterson, Unifor Local 324 President.
Along with the pay hikes, workers receive $5,000 in lump sum payments and benefit from other key monetary and language improvements.
Some of them include;
- Salary adjustments of $2.50/hour for all production workers and $3.50/hour for trades over the term;
- Additional general wage increases of 3% in 2022, $1.30/hour in 2023, 3% in 2024 and $1.30/hour in 2025;
- Total average wage increase of 23% over term with top production rates of pay reaching $43.79/hour and top trades pay reaching $51.60/hour by the final year of the deal;
- $5,000 in lump sum payments over the term;
- Increased $500 annual health spending account;
- $1.00/hour first responder and $1.00/hour fire team premium;
- $250 annual boot allowance;
- Improved vision care coverage to $400;
- $3,000 orthodontic coverage;
- $4 increase in meal tickets to $20 meal;
- New maternity leave top-up program;
- New Unifor women’s advocate position;
- Up to 4.25% in additional wage adjustments for some maintenance positions;
- Improved clothing, vacation, apprenticeship and benefit language;
- Employer will make annual $4,000 contribution to Unifor Local 324 training fund.
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With the ratification of this latest deal at West Fraser Timber, all nine Unifor forestry local unions representing 1,400 members across Northwestern Ontario have now successfully achieved Unifor’s Easter Canada Pulp and Paper Pattern Agreement with wage increases ranging from 23% to as high as 36% over the 4-year term,” notes Stephen Boon, Unifor Northern Area Director.
