Steelworkers and ONR ratify new collective agreement

Ontario Northland
News Release

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The Company, Ontario Northland and Ontera, and the Steelworkers Union Local 1976 announced today the ratification of a new collective agreement by 105 Local 1976 members, with 87 per cent of members voting in favour of accepting the new contract.

Ron Marleau, District 6 Vice President for the Local, commented, “I am very satisfied with the outcome and our members have indicated they are pleased as well with a strong vote of support; I am also pleased with the way the company and union worked together to reach a deal without deadlines.”

“It is a wonderful conclusion to end the year, a new collective agreement which benefits our employees and our company;” said Steve Carmichael, President and CEO of Ontario Northland, “as with the other collective agreements in 2008, this agreement will allow us to remain competitive as we work to meet the telecommunication needs of North-eastern Ontario.”

The collective agreement covers 105 unionized employees working in Customer Care, Operator Services, Help Desk, Outside Plant and Technical classifications at various locations in North-eastern Ontario.

A tentative agreement was reached on November 28, 2008 and ratified on December 19, 2008.

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