First collective agreement signed by Clean Harbors staff

New deal puts an end to bullying, harassment, union says

After allegations of bullying and harassment, workers at an Albertan hazardous waste management company have ratified their first collective agreement.

On Aug. 5, 600 workers at Clean Harbors in Wood Buffalo, Alta. finalized the deal through their union, Teamsters Canada Local 362. Though the details have yet to be released, employees voted 81 per cent in favour of the latest offer.

“Although the employer tried all conceivable methods of eluding a collective agreement, Teamsters Local 362 saw though their game plan and instituted their own plan which pressured Clean Harbors to properly negotiate a fair contract for 362s members,” noted a statement from the teamsters union. “This will be a new beginning in a work place that has long been one of harassment, bullying and disrespect. Teamsters demand fairness in the work place and this what has been negotiated. “

Bargaining began back in the fall of 2011, with employees and the employer narrowly avoiding a strike.

Update: Teamsters Canada has since apologized to Clean Harbors for the statement issued on the latest collective agreement, saying they did not intend to imply Clean Harbors is the sort of company that would tolerate misconduct.

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