Glencore Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations (Sudbury INO) and UNIFOR Local 598, which represents the company’s production and maintenance employees, have reached a tentative collective agreement.
The previous agreement expired at midnight on Jan. 31.
In a Feb. 1 news release, Glencore Sudbury INO said the union negotiations team is unanimously recommending ratification of the tentative agreement.
“We are very pleased to have successfully reached this settlement agreement without work disruption,” Peter Xavier, Glencore Sudbury INO’s vice-president, said in the release.
“We believe that the new agreement is fair, competitive and represents a balance of interests in securing a deep mining future for Sudbury INO.
“I commend both teams for their hard work, commitment and dedication in achieving this positive outcome. We can now look forward to working together to pursue our goals in Sudbury, positioning our business for future success.”
In Sudbury, Glencore operates the Nickel Rim South Mine, Fraser Mine, Strathcona Mill, and a smelter, employing about 1,300 people.
The union represents approximately 800 workers at Glencore's Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operation.
In a news release, the union said the new agreement will need to be ratified by the membership via Zoom.
In earlier posts on the weekend, the bargaining committee said: "We are striving for improvements in our pension, wages and benefits, as well as our top survey issues as asked by you the membership to reach a fair and equitable collective agreement," and held out optimism that a new agreement would be "sorted out."
