Strike over at Tenaris Algoma Tubes

A nine-day-old strike at Tenaris Algoma Tubes is now over. Three hundred members (74 percent) of Steelworkers Local 8248 voted in favour of the new collective agreement reached last night, with 103 voting against it.

Turnout during today's voting was 85 percent.

The new agreement includes wage increases for all employees of four percent during the first year, 3.75 percent during the second year, and 3.5 percent in the third year.

Also included are a 0.45-cents-an-hour increase in pension contribution over the life of the agreement, and replacing of the controversial appraisal system by seniority, skill and ability.

The company has also agreed to start an apprenticeship program.

(Photo taken earlier today by SooToday.com's Carol Martin)