Algoma Steel contract talks break down
Talks between Algoma Steel and United Steelworkers Local 2251 appear to have broken down.
Friday night the company announced it had presented the negotiating committee with a “revised best and final offer” and the committee again refused to bring the offer to its membership for a vote.
“Algoma believes its offer to 2251 provides a highly competitive compensation package that is superior to many of the Company’s peers in the industry and includes numerous health and wellness benefit enhancements and protections offered by the Company in an effort to reach an agreement,” the company said in its media release Friday.
Algoma Steel and United Steelworkers Local 2251 contract negotiations had been proceeding following at 15-day extension that was negotiated on July 30.
The union’s negotiating committee indicated that a key issue with the cost of living adjustment (COLA) was addressed prior to the extension allowing the union to continue to negotiate.
“This extension demonstrates the willingness of the parties to work towards an agreement that provides fair and equitable improvements to wages and benefits and supports our collective future under the electric arc transformation,” said Michael Garcia, Algoma Steel president and CEO, in a company press release related to the extension.
The company’s newest media release outlines their “revised best and final offer;” including a guaranteed minimum wage and cost-of-living increase of 15.2% over the 4 years, including the most recent COLA, as well as increases to afternoon, night and Sunday shift premiums and a $6,000 signing bonus for established employees upon ratification.
The company offer also includes increases to major medical benefits, vision care and dental benefits along with an increase to the company contributions to the defined benefit contribution pensions by $1.00 per hour over the 4 years and an increase to the reduced earning caps for their short term and long term disability benefits according to the company.
The offer will also increase retiree health benefits, including increases in lifetime maximums for hearing aids and eye glasses.
“We have worked tirelessly over the last several weeks to come up with a monetary proposal that is seen by both the company and the union bargaining committee as fair, competitive, and affordable through all points of the steel cycle,” said Garcia in the most recent press release.
“We will continue our efforts to find a way forward that avoids a business interruption.”
Last week the union voted 91% in favour of a strike.
The union posted message on their website indicating, “There was a communique that was emailed to all members that have provided their email.”
Union President, Mike Da Prat, spoke with CTV News in response to the company press release. Da Prat has previously stated his workers deserve a better cost of living adjustment and now says this offer does not accomplish that.
"They (Algoma Steel) are trying to confuse the workers 'cause they're saying it’s over 15 per cent. No its not. The answer is its 5.5 per cent actual wage increase, and the rest is last year's COLA, and projected COLA going forward," said Da Prat
The extension of the current collective agreement between the union and Algoma Steel will expire on Aug. 15.
Story updated by Cory Nordstrom's reporting from the field.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.