Emerald Energy from Waste employees ratify new collective agreement

Deal maintains pension, includes capital investment in plant

After nine weeks on strike, employees at Emerald Energy from Waste in Brampton, Ont., ratified a new collective agreement.

The deal — which covers members of Unifor Local 252 — maintains employees’ pension and wages. Workers will receive a lump-sum payment in each year of the four-year deal in addition to a cost of living allowance in the fourth year.

The company also agreed to make what the union called a “major capital investment” in the plant and committed to training for existing workers on any technological changes made at the plant.

“This contract secures the long-term employment for our members,” said Unifor’s national representative Barry Lines.

Improvements will also be made to vacations and to posting procedures for new jobs.

The plant’s employees went on strike on July 3 following demands for concessions from the plant’s new owners, U-Pak Disposals.

“These workers held strong in the face of concessionary demands. It is a testament to their solidarity that they come out of these talks with a good contract that preserves their pension,” said David Moffat, Unifor’s assistant to the president.

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