Strike over for hundreds of Hydro Ottawa workers
More than 300 workers were on strike since June 28
Several hundred Hydro Ottawa workers will be heading back to work Wednesday after more than two months of being on strike.
A union representative said 57 per cent of members voted in favour of accepting the new contract offer on Monday night.
"I think we got a pretty decent deal," said Mike Hall, business representative for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 636.
Around 370 Hydro Ottawa workers first went on strike in June, after their union and the company failed to reach a new collective agreement, which expired in March.
Hall said the new contract includes a wage increase of 14.5 per cent over four years. The new deal also includes "modest increases" to monetary perks like benefits and meal allowances.
One of the biggest concerns of the union's members was safety, Hall added.
"We did receive a commitment from the company that they would address those issues, what that's going to mean moving forward, time will tell," he said.
Last night <a href="https://twitter.com/hydroottawa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hydroottawa</a> workers voted to accept an offer. It was hard fought and it was long, but our members are more united as a workforce than ever before.<br><br>They are grateful for your <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/solidarity?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#solidarity</a> and look forward to getting back to work and powering Ottawa safely.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ottnews?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ottnews</a> <a href="https://t.co/HfTXjRdSbE">pic.twitter.com/HfTXjRdSbE</a>
—@IBEWLocal636Hydro Ottawa said it signed a memorandum of settlement last week, which provides employees with a "generous increase" in wages, as well as increases to benefits, premiums and allowances.
"Specific terms will not be disclosed until the agreement is fully ratified," the power agency said in a statement.
With files from Joe Tunney