Worker’s union and National Steel Car reach new deal to end 41-day strike

Members of the United Steelworkers union have voted in favour of a new contract with National Steel Car, sending employees back to work for the first time since the strike began on June 29.

The new three-year collective agreement was ratified following the vote Tuesday that saw a majority of 87.4 per cent vote in favour of the deal.

Local steelworkers have been on strike since June 29 demanding better wages, benefits and pension plans. Many were making $25 or $26 an hour base pay.

READ MORE: National Steel Car union reaches tentative deal with company

They say they don’t want to get rich, they just wanted their wages to keep up with inflation, so they stood their ground and got a better offer from National Steel Car.

The union says they have secured a 13 per cent wage increase over the next three years, plus a $1,000 signing bonus.

Union members will additionally be provided an extra dollar-per-hour increase in the first and third years of the contract.

READ MORE: National Steel Car workers’ month-long strike: no vacation pay, struggling wages

Following three workplace deaths in under two years, the union says health and safety remained a top priority in discussions with several provisions in the area being secured in the new contract.

Union President Frank Crowder said they got almost exactly what they wanted from the company.

“I believe we came extremely close to it and with the signing bonus, it looks like we hit our targets. I’m very proud of our members, they were very respectful on the lines, we kept a good clean picket line, we followed the rules. Our members stood strong together, and we only went out on a 52 percent strike vote but I believe 100 percent out on the line,” Crowder said.

Maintenance workers are set to head back to work immediately, while the rest of the union will return on Monday.

READ MORE: Hamilton unions rally in support of National Steel Car strike