Alma union ratifies agreement with RTA after six month lockout

RTA says in a news release “We are extremely pleased that the employees voted in favour of the tentative agreement tabled earlier this week. This is excellent news for our employees, their families, the community, our customers and our shareholders. The agreement will help protect the competitiveness of the Alma plant in the future,” stated Etienne Jacques, Chief Operating Officer, Rio Tinto Alcan Primary Metal, North America.

Over the next few days, Rio Tinto Alcan management will initiate the return to work process for the employees, followed by the progressive restart of the smelter’s production cells. In its news release the United Steelworkers said: “We were forced to take on the third-largest mining company in the world and we won,” said USW President Leo Gerard. “Many thought this was impossible, given the power imbalance, but we sent a message to the resource industry throughout the world that workers and their unions can take on huge multinational corporations to stop unjust demands.”

“The key to victory was the enormous solidarity shown by our members in Quebec who inspired trade unions across the globe to support them,” said Daniel Roy, USW Quebec Director.