Bristol Aerospace workers ratify new three-year agreement

Employees at the airplane parts manufacturing plant secure retiree benefits

Winnipeg’s Bristol Aerospace workers have ratified a new three-year agreement after being on strike for the past nine weeks. The 400 Canadian Auto Workers, Local 3005 members accepted the agreement in a ratification vote held yesterday.

The new contract contains a mechanism that ensures retirees will continue to be able to collect benefits for years to come. This was the central issue in negotiations, according to the union.

There were also “modest gains” in wages and the cost of living allowance, according to a union press release.

Part of Magellan Aerospace Corp., Bristol Aerospace is an aircraft parts manufacturing plant. The plant was recently awarded work on Canada’s new F-35 fighter jets.

Some of the workers, who have been off the job since April 1, 2011, will return to work tonight with the rest of the crew returning tomorrow.

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