TEXADA ISLAND, B.C. – Members of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 816, locked out by Lafarge Canada at the Texada Island limestone mine since Oct. 17, 2016, have reached a tentative agreement with their employer.
After previous offers were rejected the parties agreed to return to the bargaining table. As a result the USW secured an agreement with no concessions, maintained seniority rights and secured wage and benefit increases similar to other collective agreements in the sector.
In the coming week the USW Local 816 bargaining committee will provide members with details of the tentative agreement, followed by a ratification vote.
Local 816 thanks the many community members, other Steelworkers locals and unions in the region for their support as well as the important global solidarity from international labour federation IndustriALL and its allies.
Texada Island has a rich history of mining limestone dating back as early as 1918. The mine is the oldest active mine in the province and produces limestone used to make cement that is critical to many infrastructure projects.
Earl Graham, USW Staff Representative, 604-341-6381, egraham@usw.ca
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