Glencore mine workers in Sudbury accept new contract and avoid strike

The union representing more than 650 Sudbury workers at mining giant Glencore has voted to accept a new four-year contract.

Eric Boulay, the president of Unifor Mine Mill Local 598, the union representing the workers, said 73.9 per cent voted to accept the deal.

He said he's feeling "pretty relieved" following the vote.

"Like every workplace, we've seen throughout the last two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation was a big factor," he said. "[The] cost of living has gone crazy for everyone."

Boulay said the new agreement includes "modest" wage increases, improvements to benefits and pension plans.

He said wages will go up six per cent over the length of the contract, equating to 11 per cent with a cost of living increase.

"We feel it's fair," he said. "Of course, everybody wants more, right? Everybody could use more. [But] it has to be something that can keep the employer going. So we feel it was modest. It, of course, could have been more, but you have to be fair."

Boulay acknowledged that low nickel prices continue to impact the industry, and he's not sure if the new 25 per cent tariffs being imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump will make things worse.

"The tariff may not directly affect our product from the company itself, but of course, it's going to affect everything else," he said.

"The cost of doing business and the cost of living for everybody is going to probably move all over the place. So we don't know what's going to happen next from that guy down there."

'Future success'

In a statement, Peter Xavier, vice-president of Glencore's Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations, said he is pleased with the outcome of the vote.

"Both teams worked hard to achieve this agreement and to find a balance of improvements that will benefit both employees and position our business for future success," he said.

"We look forward to continued collaboration with Unifor and our employees to successfully accomplish our goals in Sudbury."

Glencore runs two mines in the Sudbury area, along with a mill and smelter, employing 1,200 people directly, plus another 1,200 contractors.