Intergenerational issue caused lock-out
After a five-week lock-out, the workers at the Moosehead Brewery in Saint John have voted to accept a new collective agreement with no post-retirement benefits for employees hired since January 1, 2009.
During the last round of negotiations, the same issue could not be resolved. Unable to come to an agreement on post-retirement benefits, the parties studied them for two years.
The contract ratified on March 30 leaves employees eligible for at least early retirement during the term of the agreement ending on January 31, 2018 with a health spending account that will equal their out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs.
Employees hired before January 1, 2009 (the beginning of the previous contract) who will not be eligible to retire will receive a mandatory buy-out ranging from $5,300 to $29,500. As well, they will have access to a Group RRSP account created to fund their benefits. Matching contributions will reach two per cent of salary by the end of the agreement.
Employees hired after January 1, 2009 have no benefits and no buy-out, but will be part of the Group RRSP. All retired employees will continue to be covered by the company plan until they reach age 65.
The other controversial contract reported in this issue is between Ontario Power Generation and the Society of Energy Professionals.
As a result of the provincial government’s wage freeze, a non-binding requirement for unionized employees that applies to OPG as a Crown corporation, management would not budge on wages. The agreement had to be settled by arbitration.
