Petrocan, locked-out workers strike deal
MONTREAL–Petro-Canada has struck a deal to end a 13-month lockout at its Montreal oil refinery.
The Calgary-based energy company said yesterday a ratification vote will be held Tuesday by the 260 members of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union.
"We are pleased to have reached an agreement in principle which we believe is fair and balanced for both the company and the employees," stated Dan Sorochan, vice-president of refining and supply.
Petro-Canada management has been running the refinery since unionized workers were locked out on Nov. 17, 2007. At that time, the company said it wanted "to move the negotiation process forward and reach a settlement."
The terms of the tentative agreement won’t be released until the ratification meeting.
Union president Daniel Cloutier said his members should be able to claim victory with the vote, noting working conditions have been preserved no fax pay day loan. "We’re satisfied with this offer," he said, stressing the workers at no time considered backing down in the face of what the union said were unreasonable demands.
The company and the union had been working on a settlement since December 2006. The collective agreement expired in February.
The union alleged Petro-Canada had wanted the union to accept reduced rights and swallow a claw-back on seniority rights. It said concessions on training and health and safety were also sought.
Cloutier credited the intervention of former premier Lucien Bouchard as key to the resolution of the dispute. Bouchard stepped in two weeks ago as mediator.
The Canadian Press
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