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Westmount blue-collar workers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new collective agreement, ending an indefinite strike that began June 22.
Ninety per cent of the workers, members of the Syndicat des cols bleus regroupés de Montréal — Local 301, voted in favour of the agreement on Wednesday.
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“We are very pleased and relieved to have reached a fair and financially responsible agreement that has been accepted by the majority of blue-collar workers,” said Westmount Mayor Christina M. Smith in a statement Wednesday on the city’s website.
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The blue-collar workers will return to work on Thursday, she said.
The union returned to the negotiating table last Wednesday and a tentative agreement was reached Friday between the City of Westmount and its 124 blue-collar workers.
“Among numerous gains” are salary increases of 24 to 29 per cent over a seven-year contract, union president Jean-Pierre Lauzon said in a statement on Wednesday, and a “substantial increase” in the employer contribution to the group insurance plan.
In addition, he said, there was an increase in bonuses and a pilot project for a four-day work week implemented for the life of the contract.
“We are satisfied,” Lauzon said.
The union’s previous collective agreement expired on Dec. 31, 2019. The new contract runs from Jan. 1, 2020 through the end of 2026.
Lauzon said both parties would “set a date soon to sign the new collective agreement.”
Once the collective agreement has been signed, Westmount will have 60 days to pay the workers the retroactive amounts to which they are entitled.
The strike, which was in its seventh week, was disruptive for many residents as the union’s pressure tactics included weekday protests concentrated in shopping areas and featuring honking vuvuzelas and heavy metal music played through at ear-splitting levels through speakers. A number of residents complained to councillors and to the mayor that they felt intimidated and several merchants said business was down sharply.
“This negotiation has been long and trying for all parties involved,” said Smith in a statement. “The impact has also been felt in the community, and I would like to thank residents and the entire administration for their patience and cooperation during this period.”
sschwartz@postmedia.com
Westmount and its striking blue-collar workers reach tentative agreement
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