Canada Bread workers ratify deal ending month-long lockout

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

up distribution centre set up by their employer, Canada Bread, while it locked them out of their jobs on Tuesday April 25, 2017 in Cornwall, Ont." width="" height="" />

Article content

Unionized workers at a Canada Bread Company distribution centre in Laval have voted to ratify a new collective agreement, ending a lockout that began on April 1.

The 120 employees of the Syndicat des travailleuses et travailleurs de distribution Multi-Marques will go back to work gradually, with normal operations resuming within 14 days, the company announced Friday.

Canada Bread workers ratify deal ending month-long lockout Back to video

• Unlimited online access to our award-winning journalism including thought-provoking columns by Allison Hanes, Josh Freed and Bill Brownstein.
• Opportunity to engage with our commenting community and learn from fellow readers in a moderated forum.
• Unlimited online access to the Montreal Gazette and National Post, including the New York Times Crossword, and 14 more news sites with one account
• Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
• Montreal Gazette ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, where you can share and comment..

There with you then. Here with you now. As a critical part of the community for over 245 years,The Gazette continues to deliver trusted English-language news and coverage on issues that matter. Subscribe now to receive:

• Unlimited online access to our award-winning journalism including thought-provoking columns by Allison Hanes, Josh Freed and Bill Brownstein.
• Opportunity to engage with our commenting community and learn from fellow readers in a moderated forum.
• Unlimited online access to the Montreal Gazette and National Post, including the New York Times Crossword, and 14 more news sites with one account
• Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
• Montreal Gazette ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, where you can share and comment..

There with you then. Here with you now. As a critical part of the community for over 245 years,The Gazette continues to deliver trusted English-language news and coverage on issues that matter. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

• Access articles from across Canada with one account.
• Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
• Enjoy additional articles per month.
• Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Sign In or Create an Account

If you are a Home delivery print subscriber, unlimited online access is included in your subscription. Activate your Online Access Now

The bread maker, with brands including POM, Bon Matin and Vachon, reached an agreement with the union’s bargaining team on Thursday, and the new contract was approved with “an overwhelming majority,” the company said.

The union, affiliated with CSN, said it got concessions for temporary workers, the creation of regular jobs and improvements to group insurance and pension plans. The deal, which lasts five years, will see increases of 1.5 to 2 per cent each year for a total of nine per cent. The first year’s 1.5 per cent increase is retroactive to Sept. 23, 2016, when the previous contract ended.

On Monday, the company admitted part of its distribution was handled by scab workers, which is against the Quebec labour code. A report from a government investigator April 18 found 11 people did work normally done by unionized workers. The company said 10 of those were scab workers.