Tentative deal reached to end Crown beer can strike

Ratification vote to be held July 18, 19

The United Steelworkers (USW) and Crown Holdings reached a tentative agreement aimed at ending a 22-month strike at the company’s beer can manufacture plant.

The tentative deal was reached on July 8 with the assistance of the Ontario Labour Relations Board.

According to USW, the proposed contract will be presented to striking workers and submitted to a ratification vote on July 18 and 19. Details of the tentative agreement will not be released prior to the ratification vote.

USW Local 9176 represents 130 employees at Crown Holding’s Weston, Ont., plant.

Employees first walked off the job in September 2013 after the company called for a two-tier wage plan. USW said the plan would permanently cut young and new workers’ wages by up to 42 per cent.

“I commend the members of Steelworkers Local 9176 and their negotiating committee for the incredible solidarity and character they exhibited throughout this prolonged struggle,” said Marty Warren, Ontario director for the union.

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