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Windsor Salt workers end lengthy strike, ratify new 5-year contract

A 192-day-long strike by Windsor Salt workers has come to an end. Unifor members ratified a new 5-year contract with their employer yesterday.

Unifor workers have been off the job since February

CBC ·
A Unifor strike sign for Windsor Salt is shown on the ground after the union ratified a new five-year agreement on the weekend.
A Unifor strike sign for Windsor Salt is shown on the ground after the union ratified a new five-year agreement on the weekend. (Dalson Chen/CBC)

A 192-day-long strike by Windsor Salt workers has come to an end as union members ratified a new five-year contract with their employer Sunday.

Unifor Local 240 president Jodi Nesbitt said the strike had a huge impact on worker's lives. 

"Some people had to go get alternate jobs … others had to sell homes," she said.

Windsor Salt and Unifor have a new five-year deal in place that will see workers from multiple bargaining units received wage and benefit increases.
Windsor Salt and Unifor have a new five-year deal in place that will see workers from multiple bargaining units received wage and benefit increases. (Dalson Chen/CBC)

Nesbitt said Local 240 members, making up Windsor Salt's office and clerical workers, voted 100 per cent in favour of the agreement that includes benefit and wage increases for all bargaining units and staff.

"So excited to get back to work and get into a routine with some steady income coming in to help them and their families," Nesbitt said. 

The union says the new collective agreements include wage increases of up to $4.60 an hour over the term.

There's also a $3,000 ratification bonus, shift premium increases and a variety of benefits enhancements.

Picket lines at Windsor Salt are coming down following ratification of a new five-year deal between the company and Unifor workers.
Picket lines at Windsor Salt are coming down following ratification of a new five-year deal between the company and Unifor workers. (Dalson Chen/CBC)

Nesbitt said the most difficult part of the job action was not negotiating face-to-face with the company for so long.

"The goal posts kind of changed a few times but ultimately … issues were addressed in a favourable manner."

Workers at the mine have been on strike since Feb. 17, when Nesbitt said the frigid weather was "very trying" on workers. 

The strike, affecting about 250 workers, lasted 192 days.   

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with files from Dalson Chen and the Canadian Press

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