Canada: Unionized Molson Brewery workers voted 80.2 per cent in favour of a new seven-year collective agreement on January 25, Canadian Press reported. Nearly 630 of 1,100 employees in Montreal voted at the meeting of the Teamsters union, which is affiliated with the Quebec Federation of Labour.

The union obtained annual wage increases ranging between 1.5 and 2 %, an enhanced pension plan, the return of 133 workers to regular employment status and protection for workers in case of sub-contracting.
The agreement projects the abolition of 30 trucking positions in Quebec over three years.

Last week, Molson distribution employees from regions outside Montreal voted 89 per cent in favour of the deal.

“This is great news and is a testament to the management, employees and unions' past and future commitment to work together and build close working relationships,” said Daniel J. O'Neill, president and CEO of Molson Inc. “These agreements ensure the future alignment of the business vision and work environment as well as deal with important employee issues. Just as importantly, they position the corporation to deliver on the goals of continuous improvement and sustained growth in Canada.”

“We are very satisfied since this agreement meets our employees' expectations and there will be no jobs lost,” said a spokesman for the Montréal Teamsters union. “The agreement, valid until 2010, includes significant progress, especially with respect to pension plans which will influence retirement departures and the promotion of younger employees to permanent positions.”

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