Saskatoon-United Steelworkers (USW) Local 7656 members employed at Mosaic Potash’s Colonsay Operations, about a hour east of Saskatoon, have voted to ratify a collective agreement that will be in place from Aug. 14 to April 30, 2012. The agreement provides across-the-board wage increases of 5, 5.5 and 5.5 percent, along with premium increases for tradespersons in the second and third years of the contract. Office and technical employees receive 5.5 percent wage increases in all three years, alongside new job classification categories. USW Western Canada Director Stephen Hunt says that both sides bargained a fair agreement. “We are pleased to reach a collective agreement which addresses several concerns of our members,” says Hunt. “Even though potash production has been curbed during the current global economic crisis, our members are entitled to an increasing share of the comfortable profits that Mosaic and other Saskatchewan potash producers are making.” The agreement includes increases to pension plans and improvements to dental and vision care. New job posting provisions are provided along with improved provisions on probation, recall rights, and the use of temporary employees in work or production schedules and loadout procedures. The agreement also includes improvements to bereavement leave and a top up benefit for EI compassionate care. The company will also cover return-to-home travel at the end of an overtime shift. Mosaic has agreed that no temporary supervisors will be employed during layoff situations. A supplemental agreement on shift scheduling was also agreed to, along with the striking of a joint committee to improve return to work for injured workers.
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain