IBEW Local 1744 (Fort Francis, ON, CAN) Settles Contract with Atibi

Mill unions ratify contract
February 04, 2005

By Duane Hicks

The membership of two unions at the Abitibi-Consolidated paper mill here ratified a new five-year deal in the past week.

The International Association of Machinists Lodge #771 voted in favour of the contract last Thursday, Abitibi-Consolidated human resources manager Len Robinson said Friday.

Meanwhile, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #1744 ratified the deal this past Tuesday.

The votes followed an agreement in principle that was reached in late November. Both unions had been without a contract since May 1.

Robinson noted the actual vote results were not released to him by either local. As well, any terms of the new agreement won’t be released.

IAM Local #771 president Herman Pruys declined comment Friday morning while IBEW Local #1744 president Dwayne Sletmoen could not be reached for comment prior to press time.

IAM Local #771 has 134 mill employees among its membership, with IBEW Local #1744 having 46.

Members of the Communications, Energy and Papermakers Locals #92 and #306 ratified a new five-year deal with Abitibi-Consolidated back in July.