Workers at a northwestern Ontario oriented strand board mill are now working under a new collective agreement.
About 135 Unifor members at the Norbord mill in Barwick, near Fort Frances, on Wednesday night ratified a 5-year deal with the company.
Retroactive to August 1, 2017, it includes wage increases of 2 per cent in each of the first four years, and 2.5 per cent in the final year.
By the end of the agreement licensed trades workers will receive $41.58/hr, and the top production rate will rise to $36.40/hr.
According to the union, in addition to other improvements, a new and "highly lucrative" profit-sharing plan provides for an annual bonus of up to $10,000 for each employee.
Unifor spokesperson Stephen Boon says the union and the company have developed "a solid working relationship," and the improvements achieved in the deal reflect that relationship, along with an improved market for wood products in North America.
Boon said the agreement offers long-term stability for the Barwick mill.
