Falconbridge ratifies new deal in Sudbury

Falconbridge (FL-T) has avoided another strike at its nickel operations in Sudbury, Ont., by signing 220 unionized office, clerical and technical employees to a 3-year labour pact just hours before the old deal was set to expire.

The new agreement includes a 2% wage increase in each of the first two years, with a cost-of-living allowance coming in the third year. Workers will also receive a $2,000 settlement bonus.

Also under the deal, the two sides have agreed to set up a senior-level committee to review contracting-out practices and evaluate alternatives to current hiring practices. The committee will include a facilitator from the Ontario Ministry of Labour.

Of those who voted, 80% were in favour of the new deal, which expires Feb. 28, 2007.

The latest ratification comes a week after maintenance and production workers ended a 3-week strike at the operations by ratifying a new 3-year deal of their own.