Steelworkers Ratify Agreement at Gerdau Ameristeel MRM
05/25/2007 - Members USW Local 5442 have ratified a new collective agreement with Gerdau Ameristeel MRM Special Sections that incorporates a wage-improvement plan with both cost-of-living and wage increases.
Members of the United Steelworkers' (USW) Local 5442 have ratified a new collective agreement with Gerdau Ameristeel MRM Special Sections Inc. The new agreement includes a wage-improvement plan with both cost-of-living and wage increases.
Over the life of the agreement, the base rate will increase by more than $5 an hour. Basic pensions have gone from $50 to $60, with the bridge pension rising from $17 to $24 over the life of the agreement. A negotiated pension window starting May 24, 2007 through the life of the agreement allows any employee eligible for unreduced pension to retire with a benefit of $84 times years of service.
Improvements to the benefit package include life insurance, dental, vision, ambulance, chiropractic, physiotherapy, and massage therapy, along with increases in weekly indemnity and long-term disability.
Under terms of the new agreement, shift premiums will increase, and the employer will pay for prescription and non-prescription glasses, work boots, and replacement boots.
"This is an agreement that provides stability for Gerdau and a decent future both for active employees and those who plan to retire," said USW Area Coordinator Wayne Skrypnyk. "We are proud of our defined benefit pension plan that remains company-paid and provides a decent retirement package to our members."
"Members of Local 5442 stood firmly behind their bargaining committee," added Local 5442 President Tony Sproule. "We are proud of the job we do for this company and proud of our union for making Gerdau Ameristeel Manitoba a decent place to work."
