This photo was taken by Mike Sartori in 2009, prior to the tornado. Please view more of Sartori’s photos on Flickr.
HEATHER BOA Bullet News GODERICH – Unionized workers at Sifto’s salt mine are back to work, after voting in favour of a new three-year contract.
Eight-two per cent of the members in the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada Local 16-O who came out to the ratification vote yesterday morning were in favour of the contract. It provides across the board wage increases of one dollar in the first year, retroactive to April 1, $1.03 in the second year, and $1.06 in the third year, regardless of wage classification. It also addresses issues related to new shifts and technology at the salt mine, said Glenn Sonier, who is the national representative for CEP.
Sifto Canada Corp. is following protocol to get workers back on the job as early as today, said Sonier.
Union members were on the picket line for 41 days. A strike began Aug. 20 after negotiations between union representatives and Compass Minerals representatives broke down. Compass Minerals is the parent company of Sifto Canada Corp., which owns the salt mine in Goderich.
“Everyone’s happy to get back to work,” he said.
“We’re pleased that the union has ratified the mutually beneficial agreement, and we look forward to having all of our Goderich mine employees back to work,” said Angelo Brisimitzakis, who is Compass Minerals’ president and CEO.
The company begins building rock salt inventory in March, working until the lake freezes to ship salt to depots throughout the Great Lakes, where it’s ready for customers during the winter. Due to a mild winter in 2011-12, there is more carry-over than usual.
“Demand for highway deicing salt is dictated by the weather, so we’ll just have to wait to see what Mother Nature brings us this year,” said Peggy Landon, who is director of investor relations and corporate communications for Compass Minerals.
